When it comes to the airport, a traveler's toughest challenge is not necessarily making a flight on time but choosing the right meal. With more than the everyday Vanderbilt Dining options, students are left with the intriguing, yet daunting task of picking between fast food and local-flavor restaurants. Although the unhealthy options are plentiful, nutritionists and reporters alike urge us to consider its affect on our waistline.

According to the author of Men's Health's “Eat This Not That,” people should never leave their healthy eating habits at the terminal. To decrease our chances of adding extra baggage to our frame, the authors write that items that are low in fat like yogurt, cereal and fresh fruit are the perfect options when heading to the gate.

For all morning travelers, MSNBC Health recommends that travelers forego all “the sugar-loaded pastries, doughnuts and extra-large mocha whipped-cream coffee drinks.” Without nutrients, reports suggest that these items provide empty calories and “will have your energy hitting the ground before your plane does.” Both the Dunkin’ Donuts Blueberry Muffin and Starbucks Cafe Vanilla Frappuccino Blended Coffee (venti) top the list for worst airport breakfast.

Suggestions for evening travelers echo these healthy strategies. MSN Health and Fitness preaches that travelers should avoid the candy stand along with any “high-fat, add-ons such as mayonnaise, dressing, cheese or bacon.” As for drinks, with no calories, water is known to be the perfect beverage for any meal. Topping the list of worst airport snack is Quizno’s Classic Club with Bacon and Auntie Anne’s Salted Pretzel.

No matter how closely (or far from) students follow these strategies, they are urged to follow the one golden rule: ”Avoid snacking your way through airports” and potentially avoid an increase in waist size.