I’m an airline pilot – passengers should avoid these 5 foods and drinks when flying

Free drinks? Negative, ghost rider.

Be careful what you eat or drink on your next flight – passengers who aren’t familiar with how their bodies handle certain foods and drinks could be in for a rough landing, warns a professional.

First Officer Paul Janowicz, an experienced Delta pilot, explained that for those trying to keep things at a comfortable cruising altitude, the number one thing to watch out for is alcoholic beverages.

“Alcohol can dehydrate you and make you feel groggy and tired after the flight,” he told Well + Good.

“Due to pressure changes in the cabin, a person will get drunk faster drinking in flight than on the ground.”

The warning comes as some airline industry honchos are floating the idea of ​​restricting alcohol purchases at airports – but more for peacekeeping reasons, as unruly behavior has made the skies much less friendly in recent years.

Coffee, used by flight attendants to mask bad odors on a plane, is another item that lands on Janowicz’s no-fly list.

“While it may be fine for those early morning flights, the caffeine in coffee will dehydrate you in an already dehydrated cabin environment,” he added.

Flight crews have repeatedly warned that tank sources for aircraft water used in coffee and tea can be surprisingly gross.

Even sodas are worth a pass because of the gas and bloating, according to the first officer.

“Especially if you drink while the plane is climbing or descending with the pressure changes that occur in the cabin.

Spicy food is another that can wreak havoc at 30,000 feet, he said, adding that this also applies to what is consumed before boarding.

“Generally our in-flight menus are very bland, but I wouldn’t pack any food that might have spices as it might cause an upset stomach during the flight.”

And, last but not least, the “higher sodium” of fried food leads to a double whammy of gas and bloating along with dehydration.

While these may be pilot recommendations, customers have also spoken out about what they want security to flag as a false trip.

A recent study found that 92% of flyers expressed outrage against certain foods – one plane nearly rioted after a passenger decided to eat a rack of ribs en route.

Other sugary foods known to upset your stomach — and other passengers — include hard-boiled eggs and canned fish.

Although not brought for consumption, fish stored in a passenger’s luggage caused worms to fall from bins onto people in nearby rows last winter.