I need ideas for food that can be taken in carry on luggage please

[nodmicks]

We are being flown into KY for a 1 year memorial service and dedication for my brother and the other pilot that passed away.

The company is covering our flight and room. We are trying to keep this short trip as inexpensive as possible. They are putting us up in a 5 start hotel so the restaurant in the hotel will be pretty $$$$. So no plans to eat breakfast there!

I am renting a car because it was less expensive than a cab for the 5 of us to and from the hotel/airport and to the memorial site. We possibly can pick up a few food items if we can find a store AND they are still open when we fly in.

However I am preparing to not find a store. We are also on a pretty tight schedule and we will be there less than 24 hours.

We have a layover on the flight in over dinner so we will most likely behaving fast food at O'hare airport. So what can I pack to feed the guys for a quick breakfast in the room that can go in my carry on luggage?

We will be eating lunch out with a group after the memorial and I am crossing my fingers they are not picking a 5 star restaurant! that is our of my control though.

So what do you suggest I bring in my carry on for a quick easy breakfast? How about snacks for the kids on the flight home. It will be 5.5 hours with the layover and 2 flights back home.

[Ramona]

Instant oatmeal for breakfast, fresh fruit, granola bars.

I'm sorry that this will be a sad trip.

[nodmicks]

Oh I never would have thought of oatmeal! Thanks! I am so used to not buying any ready made item that this stuff slips my mind totally! It will be kind of sad but much easier than the repatriation ceremony and funeral service a year ago thankfully. Or so I hope.

[JerryG]

Check out the hotel on-line - A lot of the 5-star have a free or cheap breakfast option.

Do enjoy your trip and reminisce the good times about your bro.

Otherwise - consider cold cereal small packs, bagels, cream cheese, cheese sticks. You get the idea - go for the small convenience items that you would never buy for home.

[Libby]

Not sure if you can take any liquids nor fresh fruit nor any containers/sandwhich zip bags past a certain size through the security checkpoint even though its considered a domestic flight.

You should check/call here before finding out the hard way and having to throw your food away before getting on the plane. Been there, done that, was not impressed.

TSA: Air Travel

Having said that - any snack that is individually sealed/portioned at the factory. Granola bars, snacking crackers, cookies. Maybe consider buying food at the terminal before boarding your plane but only once you're past the checkpoint.

[nodmicks]

Check out the hotel on-line - A lot of the 5-star have a free or cheap breakfast option.

Do enjoy your trip and reminisce the good times about your bro.

Otherwise - consider cold cereal small packs, bagels, cream cheese, cheese sticks. You get the idea - go for the small convenience items that you would never buy for home.

Will cheese strips make it unrefrigerated? I did check online and no free or cheap breakfast seen. they did have 6 five star restaurants though.

We will actually spend more time flying than in the sure to be lovely suite. The kids love hotels though and I love a jacuzzi

[nodmicks]

Not sure if you can take any liquids nor fresh fruit nor any containers/sandwhich zip bags past a certain size through the security checkpoint even though its considered a domestic flight.

You should check/call here before finding out the hard way and having to throw your food away before getting on the plane. Been there, done that, was not impressed.

TSA: Air Travel

Having said that - any snack that is individually sealed/portioned at the factory. Granola bars, snacking crackers, cookies. Maybe consider buying food at the terminal before boarding your plane but only once you're past the checkpoint.

Thanks for the link. I was thinking prepacked. I'll go read up and see what is allowed.

I did find they have a breakfast buffet at the hotel. $ 19.95 per person. Yeah no thanks!

[Libby]

Can you google variety stores, gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants within walking distance of your hotel? You did say you were renting a car so driving to one shouldn't be too bad either. Maybe you'll be able to find a 24 hour grocery store?

[JerryG]

Will cheese strips make it unrefrigerated? I did check online and no free or cheap breakfast seen. they did have 6 five star restaurants though.

We will actually spend more time flying than in the sure to be lovely suite. The kids love hotels though and I love a jacuzzi

Cheese strips will make it 24 hours w/o refrigeration, but not in heat. If It's in carry on, it'll be fine.

Enjoy your time.

[Rhayne]

Call and check with your airline if you are worried about certain items and if they'll go through security. You can take fresh fruits and veggies in clear plastic zip lock bags but they can not be cut up. I know a lady that takes on apples and celery and carrots and travels a lot.

[nodmicks]

Can you google variety stores, gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants within walking distance of your hotel? You did say you were renting a car so driving to one shouldn't be too bad either. Maybe you'll be able to find a 24 hour grocery store?

I'll have to take a peek at google like you suggest. Then just to get dh to drive there A bottle of wine wouldnt hurt my feeling either nor dh's , sil or moms!!! The last time we stayed in the area I made the mistake of getting 2 glasses of white zin at the bar. $18 plus tip. I could have bought a few bottles!

Cheese strips will make it 24 hours w/o refrigeration, but not in heat. If It's in carry on, it'll be fine.

Enjoy your time.

Thanks. I hope it is better than expected. 12.5 hours flying and layovers total for both ways, sleep time, a service/ ceremony and lunch with a few people is a lot to pack from 2:30 pm one day when we leave the airport in our are until 11:30 pm the next day when we land in our area!

[zakity]

Bars are good for breakfast and for snacks. They also travel really really well. When we travel, I take bars for me for breakfast. I hate most breakfast foods.

There is an oatmeal square thing by the granola bars in the stores. They are pretty filling. They do have a lot of sugar in them though.

Luna or Cliff bars are good and filling.

Fiberone bars are pretty good also. Oats and chocolate is my absolute favorite. But, they might have too much sugar in them for kids.

There is also a bar along the same lines (same aisle too) as the Luna/Cliff bars that is for kids and has more kid friendly flavors.

Small packages of crackers, packaged peanut butter and crackers, and pretzels are good snack things. But, they don't travel excessively well. They tend to get smooshed and turn into cracker or pretzel crumbs.

Oatmeal is a good suggestion also, but you need something to heat the water in and containers to make it in. Oh yeah, and spoons to eat it with. It also has a lot of sugar.


If they are unfamiliar with "travel foods", I would try them out at home before you take them. Sugar might not be an issue with your kids. My guys never got sugar before we took them somewhere if we needed them to behave.


Side note: My guys called Cliff bars "poop cookies" because they always looked like a piece of poop. We got one with chocolate chips in it once and the guys commented that it looked like their poop after they ate black olives. Life with boys can be so much fun! So, Cliff bars didn't really go over well at my house.

[Contrary Housewife]

For hotel room breakfasts I take oatmeal packets which you can make with the hot water from the coffee pot... be aware that you will probably also need to take plastic bowls and spoons to eat with. Also you can do cocoa packets. Rooms usually have two mugs or foam cups for coffee. Once in a while 3-4 foam cups. There is almost always coffee and sugar packets with the coffee pot, free in the room. You may want some extra packets of dry powdered creamer. And napkins.

For snacks, think dry and packaged. Crackers, nuts, cookies, chips, granola bars, some of the better soft fruit/cereal bars, breakfast cookies, etc. Sadly you have to get drinks from the airline. In some airports you can buy drinks to take on the plane once you get past security, but don't count on it.

Cheese would last the first day. Carrot sticks will actually last several days unrefrigerated. I haven't tried celery. I'm not sure what you could carry them in that would fit within security guidelines for containers of 3oz or less, though. Maybe plastic wrap? Waxed paper?

Don't forget your asprin, tylenol, antacids, diarrhea tablets, etc. It costs a fortune and is a PITA to buy when traveling.

If the hotel is $$$$ they will have a concierge. That person's job is to know where to get things ranging from pizza to concert tickets to live tigers for the guests. Even if they don't the front desk staff should know where the nearest gas station or convenience store is if you need to get some drinks or snacks once you get to the hotel. Just ask.

[mauimagic]

Talk about a whirlwind trip - lots of great ideas here - take care my friend.

[nodmicks]

Bars are good for breakfast and for snacks. They also travel really really well. When we travel, I take bars for me for breakfast. I hate most breakfast foods.

There is an oatmeal square thing by the granola bars in the stores. They are pretty filling. They do have a lot of sugar in them though.

Luna or Cliff bars are good and filling.

Fiberone bars are pretty good also. Oats and chocolate is my absolute favorite. But, they might have too much sugar in them for kids.

There is also a bar along the same lines (same aisle too) as the Luna/Cliff bars that is for kids and has more kid friendly flavors.

Small packages of crackers, packaged peanut butter and crackers, and pretzels are good snack things. But, they don't travel excessively well. They tend to get smooshed and turn into cracker or pretzel crumbs.

Oatmeal is a good suggestion also, but you need something to heat the water in and containers to make it in. Oh yeah, and spoons to eat it with. It also has a lot of sugar.


If they are unfamiliar with "travel foods", I would try them out at home before you take them. Sugar might not be an issue with your kids. My guys never got sugar before we took them somewhere if we needed them to behave.


Side note: My guys called Cliff bars "poop cookies" because they always looked like a piece of poop. We got one with chocolate chips in it once and the guys commented that it looked like their poop after they ate black olives. Life with boys can be so much fun! So, Cliff bars didn't really go over well at my house.

Thanks for the ideas! LOL Poop cookies!!!!!!!! My guys are all teens so sugar is not an issue. They eats tons of it outside of the house I am sure.. I just dont buy it. Fat diabetic me needs to stay out of it LOL

For hotel room breakfasts I take oatmeal packets which you can make with the hot water from the coffee pot... be aware that you will probably also need to take plastic bowls and spoons to eat with. Also you can do cocoa packets. Rooms usually have two mugs or foam cups for coffee. Once in a while 3-4 foam cups. There is almost always coffee and sugar packets with the coffee pot, free in the room. You may want some extra packets of dry powdered creamer. And napkins.

For snacks, think dry and packaged. Crackers, nuts, cookies, chips, granola bars, some of the better soft fruit/cereal bars, breakfast cookies, etc. Sadly you have to get drinks from the airline. In some airports you can buy drinks to take on the plane once you get past security, but don't count on it.

Cheese would last the first day. Carrot sticks will actually last several days unrefrigerated. I haven't tried celery. I'm not sure what you could carry them in that would fit within security guidelines for containers of 3oz or less, though. Maybe plastic wrap? Waxed paper?

Don't forget your asprin, tylenol, antacids, diarrhea tablets, etc. It costs a fortune and is a PITA to buy when traveling.

If the hotel is $$$$ they will have a concierge. That person's job is to know where to get things ranging from pizza to concert tickets to live tigers for the guests. Even if they don't the front desk staff should know where the nearest gas station or convenience store is if you need to get some drinks or snacks once you get to the hotel. Just ask.

Thanks for the ideas. Honestly the last time they put us up like this we had company escorts on our beck and call and reminding us over and over they would get us anything we wanted and to charge anything to the room ( which we didnt , hence the $18 wine). Though we were to shell shocked to want a thing really.

Another thing that surprised me is pay parking at $35 a night when I checked the hotel info. Obviously the mid priced places we usually stay have been family orientated and have free parking with your room

Talk about a whirlwind trip - lots of great ideas here - take care my friend.

Thanks Maui! I admit I am a bit apprehensive emotionally. We are trying to keep this as frugal as possible to make up for the 24 hours of lost wages for dh and the 12 for myself.