Health

Survey: Shortage of Healthy Food at Nation's Ten Busiest Airports

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 31, 2002 / 8:41 AM EST / CBS

A recent survey of restaurants in America's busiest airports found less than 60% of them offer travelers nutritious meals. But the good news is that healthy alternatives can usually be found if you look hard enough. Brie Turner-Mcgrievy, MS, RD, a dietitian with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), which conducted the survey, explains.

The PCRM, a nonprofit organization supported by over 5,000 physicians and 100,000 laypersons, has rated the nation's ten busiest airports on the availability of healthy food choices. They looked specifically at the availability of low-fat, high-fiber, cholesterol-free entrees. Only restaurants that served breakfast, lunch, or dinner entrees were included, so eateries such as yogurt and coffee shops were not surveyed.

San Francisco International Airport landed the highest marks with 96% of all its restaurants offering low-fat, high-fiber, cholesterol-free meals. Detroit's airport scored the lowest: Only 33% of its restaurants served nutritious fare.

PCRM's Airport Food Ratings 2001: Availability of Healthy Food Choices--The Ten Busiest Airports in the Country, From Best to Worst (Airport, score, number of healthy restaurants/total number of restaurants)

San Francisco International Airport--96%; 24 out of 25.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport--66%; 27 out of 41.
Chicago-O'Hare International Airport--64%; 18 out of 28.
Denver International Airport--61%; 14 out of 23.
Los Angeles International Airport--60%; 21 out of 35.
Phoenix International Airport--58%; 25 out of 43.
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport--50%; 28 out of 56.
Las Vegas International Airport--45%; 13 out of 29.
Atlanta International Airport--40%; 17 out of 42.
Detroit Metro Airport--33%; nine out of 27.

A restaurant was rated "healthy" if it offered at least one low-fat, high-fiber, cholesterol-free entree. To get the percentage score, PCRM divided the number of "healthy restaurants" by the total number of restaurants.

1. San Francisco International Airport: If there is an airport in which you might actually be happy to be delayed, it's San Francisco International Airport (SFO). And since San Francisco ranks number 4 in the United States for most delayed departing and arriving flights, grabbing a meal at SFO might be a necessity. Healthy and delicious food choices are abundant. In fact, 96% of all restaurants at SFO offer a healthy, high-fiber, cholesterol-free entree. Raving Wraps, Il Fornaio, North Beach Trattoria, and Ebisu all have good choices. Even the restaurants that don't sound so healthy, like the Burger Joint, offer healthy veggie burgers. Lori's Diner offers steamed garden vegetables, lightly seasoned, and served over rice and Linguine All' Arrabbiata, a pasta dish with tomatoes, green onions, and garlic. If you have time, swing by the new international terminal, which has the most gourmet choices.

2. Minneapolis-t. Paul International Airport: Sixty-six percent of the restaurants in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport offer a healthy, low-fat, cholesterol-free entree, dropping them far below the number 1 spot but still earning them second place. Like many airports, this one is littered with hot dog and hamburger stands. There are some shining stars in the group, however. Try the vegetable platter at the Lake Line Restaurant and Pub. If you're in too much of a hurry for a sit-down meal, stick to the vegetable sandwiches offered at a few of the delis in the airport.

3. Chicago-O'Hare International Airport: You won't find too many choices here if you want to have a healthy meal, but with a rating of 64%, Chicago's O'Hare leaves the healthy traveler with a few good choices such as salads and vegetable sandwiches. Again, 64% of the restaurants offer a single healthy item. Chicago's airport also offers a healthy, nonfood advantage as well. This airport has a fitness center for exercis-deprived travelers.

4. Denver International Airport: The Mile-High City provides a short stack of healthy dining options. With a score of 61%, you may want to avoid layovers in this airport or exercise your shopping muscles instead. If you do find yourself hungry and needing a meal in the Denver airport, try the portabello mushroom sandwich at Lefty's Colorado Trails Bar and Grill or the vegetable sandwich offered at the Colorado Sports Bar, Creative Croissant, or the Marketplace Bar and Deli.

5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): For all its celebrity and famous passengers, LAX received a score of only 60%. Here you can grab a veggie sandwich to go from Rhino Chasers or get a pasta salad with a side of seasoned asparagus from the Proud Bird Restaurant. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of other not-so-healthy choices surrounding you, including four Burger King fast-food joints and four McDonald's restaurants.

6. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: The chefs at Phoenix's bustling international airport have one troubling downfall--the habit of dousing otherwise--healthy foods with fatty cheeses. With a low score of 58%, you can still find a few choices that won't tax your arteries or fuel your jetlag even further. Try the veggie burger at the Left Seat Restaurant or the veggie wraps and fruit salads found here and there.

7. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport: Deep in the heart of Texas, you won't find many entrees that are actually good for your heart. Only half of the restaurants surveyed in the nation's fourth busiest airport offered at least one healthy entree. If you're lucky, you'll stumble across a salad or a veggie burger. Try any of the five Frullati Cafes for a veggie sandwich on whole wheat bread and a fruit smoothie. You can also find a vegetable sandwich at one of the five Au Bon Pains--just hold the cheese and mayonnaise. Other good choices include a bean burrito without cheese from Taco Bell, a veggie sub from Subwayor a veggie burger from TGIFriday's. Of course, you may also do better to "rustle up some healthy grub" on your own before you get to the airport.

8. Las Vegas-McCarran International Airport: With a score of only 45%, you may feel guilty about the way you eat in Sin City. Surrounded by Vienna sausage stands, Harlon's Bar-B-Que, Burger Kings, and Pizza Huts, it may seem like a real gamble to find a healthy choice, but there are a few sure bets. Order a veggie burger at Cheer's, a vegetable sandwich from Prickly Pear Bar and Grille, or a bean burrito from Don Alejandro's Texan Grill or Taco Bell Express. Take it with you on the plane and make your seatmates jealous when all they get are peanuts. Las Vegas has an added bonus, too, because it has a gym inside the airport where travelers can get the blood flowing before they head off to the slots.

9. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport: Even though it's ranked as the nation's busiest airport, Atlanta doesn't seem to want to keep its travelers on course to lasting good health. In fact, Atlanta came in second to last with only 40% of its restaurants offering even one healthy entree. Those that did have healthy entrees mainly offered just one, and often nothing more exotic than a garden salad. However, there are a few easy-to-carry items you can take on the plane with you. Seek out Great Wraps for a Giant Black Bean Burrito, Veggie Philly, or Veggie Wrap. Grab a Georgia Peach smoothie, too, so you can get a couple of fruit servings in the air. You can also go to the Atlanta Bread Company or Wall Street Deli for a veggie sandwich on whole wheat bread or Manchu Wok for a vegetable stir-fry. Just avoid the Burger King, Hot Dog, and Chic-fil-A, if healthy eating is a priority.

10. Detroit Metro Airport: It's hard to make a good decision when your only choices are bars, hot dog stands, greasy grills, Cinnabons, and Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom, so it's no wonder that Detroit came in dead last with a score of 3%. Stick with salads if you can find them, and hold the fatty dressing and toppings. If you're very lucky, your gate may be near the East Street Bar and Grill, which at least has a veggie burger, or a Taco Bell, where you can order a bean burrito. Just make sure to hold the cheese and sour cream!