Travel to Ontario on Air Canada, one of the healthiest airlines in North America

Ottawa Travel Guide

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Tuesday, 27 November 2012 17:02

Air Canada has recently been ranked as one of the healthiest airlines in North America, according to the latest research from Charles Stuart Platkin, an assistant professor at the City University of New York's School of Public Health. Diet-conscious fliers who intend to travel to Ontario in the near future can rest assured that they'll have healthy options when they're up in the air - which may come as a surprise to passengers who are used to having mediocre meals en route to their destinations.

For his study, Platkin looked at a number of North American carriers, including Virgin America, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines.

"A few airlines are realizing that, if they pay attention to food, they can increase customer experience and satisfaction," Platkin, who also edits the website DietDetective.com, told USA Today. "Calorie-laden, unhealthy, heavy foods have been shown in research to negatively impact mood."

Air Canada ranked second out of the bunch, due in large part to its NutriCuisine menu that features quality ingredients. Teaming up with catering company Food with a Conscience, the airline has managed to create delicious in-flight dishes that rarely surpass the 400 calorie mark.

The roasted chicken wrap, for example, only has 350 calories, and visitors can even snack with their diets in mind on items like Greek yogurt or a fruit plate.

Once travellers arrive in Ottawa, they can continue to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet at numerous restaurants across the capital that specialize in vegan and vegetarian meals, as well as dishes that feature grass-fed beef and free-range chicken. ZenKitchen is one such establishment, which serves hearty vegan meals that even meat eaters would find satisfying. This charming establishment has menu items like oyster mushroom tacos, sweet potato gnocchi and beet salad - perfect for travellers who want to watch their weight this holiday season.

If visitors staying at Ottawa hotels really want to spend their holiday on a locavore diet, they can take tours of nearby farms and sample some of the goods that are made within a 100-mile radius of the city. Places like Juniper Farm, which is owned and operated by Alex Mackay-Smith and Juniper Turgeon, offer restaurants in Ottawa seasonal produce that's organic and nothing short of delicious.