Hungry Girl Goes...On An Airplane

1. Don't get on the plane hungry
Set yourself up for success. If you board the plane when you're starving, there's a good chance you'll eat whatever is available, and you may not have the willpower to make smart choices. So do yourself a favor and have a snack or a light meal before you take off.

2. Don't lie to yourself
I used to do this all the time. I'd say, "Look how small that brownie is! It'll be satisfying, and it can't be too bad for me," or, "Calories consumed while in midair aren't digested." All lies! Of course I knew that mid-air calories are digested and they do count — and that eating the small brownie would lead to eating many more small snacks (that can add up to a large number of calories). Lying to yourself is a bad idea. Skip it!

3. Pack your own snacks
If you're organized enough, pack a little airplane emergency snack kit filled with satisfying guilt-free stuff, like apple slices, jerky, baby carrots, freeze-dried fruit or 100-calorie items. Then when you get hungry, you can reach for something reasonable that you know will satisfy you.

4. Indulge in some nuts — in moderation
Those small packs of peanuts and/or almonds are underrated. I love eating snack-size packs of nuts while traveling because they're healthy and portion-controlled. The good fat in nuts definitely helps to keep you feeling full, and the mini bags are pretty low in calories, too. Just don't ask for two, four or six bags. (Bad idea!)

5. Skip the pre-packaged snack boxes
Heads up — even the so-called "healthy" or "better-for-you" snack packs on airplanes can contain as many as 600 to 1,000 calories. Why? They're often loaded with snacks containing a gazillion carbohydrates. Who really needs pita chips, wheat crackers and pretzels? And let's not forget the cheese, cookies and chocolate pieces they toss in. If you have the willpower to pick and choose the best stuff from the box, go for it — but try not to devour the whole thing.

6. Stay hydrated
It's easy to forget to drink water while traveling. But dehydration can cause sleepiness, crankiness and even worse, it can make it difficult for you to make smart decisions (like choosing to eat that apple you packed over those cookies being passed around). So keep lots of water handy. Pick up a bottle at the concessions stand near the gate.

7. Order ahead of time
If you know you're going to be served a meal on board, special order ahead of time. Typically you have up until 24 to 48 hours in advance to get your request in. Many airlines allow you to choose low-fat and/or low-calorie meals. These trays are typically piled high with guilt-free foods like fat-free yogurt, fruit, lean meats and more.

8. Keep yourself busy
On a long plane trip smushed between two strangers with nothing at all to do? Eeeks...you'll likely be so bored you'll want to eat the whole time. Bring magazines, handheld games, crossword puzzles or a good book. By keeping your mind busy you'll likely be able to keep temptation at bay.