Clean Eating at MSY New Orleans Airport- Gate D

Gate D...treat us well. 

Whether you are traveling for business or for fun, the airport is a landmine for disaster if you are trying to eat clean and healthy. Many foods are marketed as 'health' foods and are not good for you. I'll walk you through each restaurant, book/food store and kiosk that is currently at the New Orleans Airport Gate D. Go Delta! ;)

What we are looking for are REAL FOODS. That means, you know what it is, where it grew and doesn't have ingredients that we can't pronounce. Seems like an easy system to say "YES" or "NO", but like I said before...there are some hidden traps.

Are you READY? Let's navigate Gate D of MSY the New Orleans Airport! 

In true New Orleans style, the first place to eat and/or drink is a bar. Come on New Orleans, get on the clean eating bandwagon, I promise its a good one. Needless to say. That's a NO. Unless, of course, you are on your 3rd delay and then I might say "okay go have a drink", but we are staying strong. Pass that Bad Boy up!

Attached to that bar is the Wow Cafe, everything on the menu is fried or comes with a side of grease so really, I would avoid this one as well. It's temptation central. However, there is a nice to-go refrigerator that has some options worth considering if you can resist the smell of bacon. ;)

Here is the fridge.

• Yes --> Fruit Cup + Water
• No--> Everything else. I'm serious.

I'm sure you are going to wonder why not Naked drinks? Naked drinks have 53 grams of sugars. 53. There is no official guideline for how many sugars one should consume in a day, but I can tell you 53 grams in a tiny bottle is a whole hell'of've a lot. I can also tell you an apple or banana will fill you up more than a Naked juice as it will have FIBER. Go for the real deal, grab that apple, banana or orange and eat away. :)

Next down the runway <giggle>, is the Essence News Bookstore. I have a picture for you but really, I would just pass this one up unless you need a book or magazine or non-food item. The only thing I would advice you to grab in there (besides water) is a bag of unsalted nuts. There is a whole WALL of nuts, every kind. What you need to be cautious about is the amount of nuts you are buying. (Oh I'm sure there are many jokes to be had here.) If you can't just have 12 almonds or a small (I SAID SMALL) handful of peanuts, then just don't buy them. If you eat the whole bag you will eat your whole day worth of calories. It's easy to just eat, eat, eat and WHOOPS...the bag is gone. So, bring your own bag of unsalted almonds and avoid this trap.

Exit Essence and we're walking, walking, walking and we come to... SMOOTHING KING. I love Smoothie King. Love. Ugh. Mixed emotions as well. Most of the fruit is coated in syrup, which means sugar, which means its not a great option. I will say that this is a NEUTRAL option because it's likely to create a sugar high and find you still hungry after you finish. This means if you are trying to lose weight fast, avoid it...but if you are just looking to eat healthy and 'be good' then this is not a terrible option. Choose a smoothie that is 200 or less calories and Enjoy. They use all REAL ingredients and you can add a protein booster shot to help hold you over to your next meal.

In the same kiosk, there is a refridgerator with lots of 'healthy' looking options... but...really the only thing that we want to eat are those yummy red and green apples. I'm sure you asking, "Really, Jen, that's it?"...yes, that's it. The yogurts are surely full fat yogurts, the Chobanis are packed with sugar. If you find PLAIN Chobani, then that would be a "GO". So, let's go find some more options... I have a feeling there is something PERFECT within this Terminal.

Next up are two places across from each other: Hudson Bookstore and Ye Olde College Inn.

If you are looking for breakfast, I would just rest on some black coffee, apple/banana. If you are insistent, I would suggest the vegetable omlette (no cheese, no butter, hold the potatos). All you need to sustain you are the eggs and some vegetables. If you are brave, ask if they can cook you 2 eggs without butter with the side of fruit. That would be a ideal.

If you are looking for lunch, I would go with one of the salads, dressing on the side, no cheese (or cheese on the side), no bacon with a side of farm vegetables steamed no butter.

Feeling high maintenance...avoid this one as you'll need to adapt the menu offerings to fit our clean eating lifestyle. Remember your goal and picture it. Stay strong. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Hudson News is across the way and ...well... its the same story as Essence News. A wall of nuts that require self control. So, grab a magazine, book or souvenir and pass on any food items. Don't worry, next walk up has some greatness in store (and some coffee).

Then finally, a place featuring salads with clean protein, little amounts of cheese and dressing on the side. Score. To add some irony, the place is called Cheesecake Scoop Cafe, but we'll be staying to the left where the healthy salads and water are featured front and center. Cheesecake? What cheesecake ice cream? When looking for a salad keep in mind these guidelines: 

• Little to no cheese
• Throw away those croutons
• Protein option should be clean (not fried, not coated in sauce/mayo, not battered) 
• Dressing on the side
• Look for a variety of Veggies featured within

I would choose the Shrimp Louis Salad as it has two sources of protein (boiled eggs and boiled shrimp) with dressing on the side which I will not use. If dressing is a must, then try to limit it to a teaspoon. Just enough for flavor that won't overload your nutritious salad with unhealthy fats. Need some extra spice? Try some black pepper. I try to make each bite last with some lettuce, an extra veggie and a bite of protein to help each fork bite taste super yummy.

Last up (but certainly not least), we have PJ's Coffee House. Can't go without coffee! Grab it black or grab some tea. No sugar, no fake sugar. YOU CAN DO IT!

Here's my final recommendations. Clean Eating Airport Style!! Let's do this!!

Clean eating at the airport is completely possible...YES...even in New Orleans. :)