Seeking (and Finding) Healthy Airport Food

A couple of weeks ago, I had a several-hour wait at Boise Airport (BOI). I left Tamarack Resort at 7:00 a.m. with a light box breakfast for the almost three-hour ride. I was booked on a late flight but hoped to get on an 11-something flight on standby. That flight was full, so I was booked on one leaving after 1:00 p.m. Even with the welcome diversion of free WiFi at the airport, I got hungry -- but I wanted to find a not-too-unhealthy light meal. The smoothie place on Concourse B had a salad and sandwich cooler, but I didn't care for the sandwiches and they were out of salads. I to ask at the pub next door whether there were any salads left in the kithen. I did and was told no. Not much looked appealing until I stumbled upon a Hyde Park Market & Deli, tucked into a corner adjacent to the food court, and ordered a veggie panini. It wasn't the best I've ever had, but it was better than than airport pizza, the fried stuff at the sports bar, the scary-sounding Maui Tacos or anything passed across the counter at Mickey D's.
People get into that pickle at airports all the time -- in fact, we have houseguests right now who endured more than a three-hour delay at Denver International Airport (DEN), I share with you the Denver Post's recent list of (relatively) healthy food in an article called "Eat Right on the Fly":

POUR LA FRANCE (Concourse B): Smoked Salmon and Bagel Plate, $9.50 consists of shaved smoked salmon is served with a toasted bagel, chive cream-cheese spread, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and capers. It's high in protein, low in fat and a good source of veggies if you eat them all.

WOLFGANG PUCK'S EXPRESS (Concourse B): Tortilla Soup, $5.35, offers tomato and broth-based soups like this one are low-fat and filling.

LEFTY'S MILE HIGH GRILLE (Concourses B and C): Veggie Burger, $7, unlike most veggie burgers that are made from frozen patties that resemble hockey pucks, this one's made from brown rice, onions and mushrooms. It tastes great and is easy to eat on the run. High in fiber and protein, it's a good choice for sustained energy.

McDONALD'S (all concourses): Fruit and Walnut Snack Size Salad, $2, makes a snack or mini-meal that is has 210 calories, is a good source of calcium and vitamin C, and adds just the right amount of healthy fat and flavor from the candied walnuts.

CHEF JIMMY'S BISTRO (Concourse A): Shrimp and Pasta Arrabiata, $10, is a low-fat dish tossed in a spicy marinara sauce and topped with fresh basil that does not taste like "airport food."

CANTINA GRILL (all concourses): Burrito Bowls or "Naked" Taco Salads, $7.50, can be ordered "naked" (without the tortilla shells) to big on calories. A deep-fried taco shell adds a whopping 400 calories and 25 grams of fat to a salad, while oversized tortillas are low in fat but contain 350 calories. Black beans, veggies and salsa make the bowls and salads healthy ways to satisfy a craving for Mexican.

The Post also printed a list of the U.S. airports with the largest selection of healthy and/or vegetarian fare, according to a recent study by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine:

1. Orlando
2. Detroit and San Francisco (tie)
3. Newark
4. Dallas/Fort Worth
5. Chicago/O'Hare
6. Denver
7. Philadelphia
8. Minneapols/St. Paul and Los Angeles International (tie)
9. Atlanta
10. Houston Intercontinental
11. Las Vegas

It means that Denver offers a relatively good selection of healthy food, but it certainly could do better.