Last week we gave you a preview of our Airport Survival Guide, starting with how to eat healthy at ATL. This week, we’re going to get a little broader.

After all, 45,000 or so flights took off around the country yesterday, and 43,000 of them were from airports other than Atlanta. So let’s talk about a place you can find at nearly every airport in the US—Starbucks. 

It wouldn’t be our first choice, of course, but sometimes it’s the only option available, so we want you to be ready in case of emergency. If you know what to order, you can come away from good ol’ Bux with an #actuallyhealthy meal.  

Two quick caveats before we get into it.

First, during the pandemic, airport lines have become excruciatingly long, so you’ll need some time and some patience (two things we airfarers are often without). Second, the pricing. Our recommendations total about $13 in a standard Starbucks, but airport pricing is anywhere form about 30% to 100% more, so we hope you’re workin' with a per diem. 

Now, let’s move onto the order. 

COFFEE
Bean there, done that

The first thing you’re probably going to want is coffee, because…Starbucks. The problem is not the coffee itself, but whatever else you add in. If your goal is to stay away from dairy, there are limited good options in the strict #actuallyhealthy sense (i.e. no added sweeteners or oils).

On the plus side, the choices used to be even worse. When the only options were coconut, almond, or soy alternatives, there was nothing without added sugar. Almond milk was the best-case scenario, but it has about 3g of sugar per cup. That means if you order a grande latte, you’re looking at 2 to 3 packets of pure sugar. 😳  

Luckily, 'Bux is always trendy and has jumped on the oat milk bandwagon, and the brand Oatly has no added sugar. Unfortunately, it does have added canola oil, which we're not wild about it, but it's the lesser of two evils. 

 OUR ORDER: Grande cold brew. If we need it, a dash of Oatly. No sweeteners of any kind, not even stevia. 

FOOD
Oats say can you see

For us, the secret to hacking Starbucks is the oatmeal. 

Oats are a whole grain, and trusted groups like the World Health Organization, the American Heart Association, and even the American Diabetes Association recommend we eat more whole grains. You may have heard narratives that all carbs are bad, or that grains equal sugar. In the case of whole grans, that is not so, according to the leading health organizations around the world. 

However, just like the coffee, oatmeal gets dicey when unhealthy accoutrements get added, the worst offender being sugar. Don’t be satisfied with the sweetened dried fruit that comes with the oatmeal. Instead, grab a few healthier add-ons. 

OUR ORDER: Oatmeal, a banana, a “That’s It” Apple + Blueberry Bar, and the classic almonds. We cut up the banana, rip up the fruit bar, and pour in the almonds, and boom: 16g protein and 16g of fiber. Not bad for a workaround.

So that’s how you take on the 'Bux. Get all the goods, avoid the pitfalls, and don’t drink that cold brew too fast—it's like jet fuel. ✈️

Fly healthy, friends. 

-Justin, Geremy and the airfare team