- Stewardesses reveal why you should avoid pasta and tap water in the air
The food served on airplanes is supposedly much less appetizing than one would assume at first glance. This is what flight attendants are saying, according to the "Huffington Post".
A flight attendant who has been working for a major American airline for seven years told the "Huffington Post" that many employees bring their own food to work. The food for airplanes is usually prepared by one of the few catering companies and then transported to different airports by truck.
Be cautious with tap water: Old pipes could contain bacteria
She advises being cautious with water (and also coffee and tea). While bottled water is fine, one should absolutely not consume tap water on an airplane. "It depends on how often the pipes are cleaned," she said, noting that tap water in airplanes is often also used to brew coffee and tea. "The problem is not so much in the United States, but in other countries where there are no similar regulations." E. coli bacteria, which can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, have already been found in samples.
Another flight attendant, who has been working as a stewardess since 2015, advises avoiding salty snacks like nuts and pretzels. This can lead to dehydration. The same goes for soups and pasta dishes, which are salted more heavily for in-flight consumption. Alcohol consumption is also discouraged: Alcohol has a negative effect on the body at high altitudes. "The air pressure in the airplane cabin is lower than usual," explains Dr. Clare Morrison, a physician at MedExpress, to the "Huffington Post".
Alcohol dehydrates in the air
"This lower pressure means that the body can take in less oxygen," she added. "This can lead to dizziness or hypoxia. In other words: The lower oxygen content in the blood makes one appear more intoxicated in the air than on the ground after drinking the same amount of alcohol."
Those who drink their beverage on the rocks should remember that the ice could be made from the airplane's tap water.
The stewardess suggests avoiding consuming tap water on the airplane due to potential bacteria, as it's often used for brewing coffee and tea. Furthermore, other vehicles like taxiing airplanes might also use this water source, which may not be as clean in certain countries.
