This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Salt Lake City International Airport just flew to a No. 6 ranking nationally for healthy food — its highest ever — among the nation's 30 busiest airports.
That's according to 2015 rankings released Friday by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
The group said that 19 of the airport's 24 restaurants, or 79 percent, offer at least one "high-fiber, plant-based, vegan meal option."
That is 8 points above the national average. Airports that specialize in meaty, greasy comfort food do poorly in the rankings.
"Salt Lake City travelers who are looking to warm up before hitting the slopes can opt for the vegan black bean chili at French Meadow Bakery, which offers a variety of plant-based entrées," the group's report said.
It adds, "Squatters Pub Brewery serves quinoa salads and a veggie burger made with roasted vegetables, oats and garbanzo beans.
For a quick meal, Great Wraps prepares a hummus-and-veggie wrap."
What does the group consider to be healthy food?
"We're looking for fiber-packed menu items that prevent blood-sugar levels from spiking and promote fullness," said Cameron Wells, associate director of clinical nutrition with the physicians committee.
"Salads that mix a leafy green base," he added, "and are topped with root vegetables, lentils or beans, whole grains, and garnished with fruit, nuts or seeds are always a great find."
Salt Lake City International tied for sixth with Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. — which fell two spots in this year's rankings.
Los Angeles International Airport topped this year's rankings, with 90 percent of its eateries offering the vegan choices that the physicians group sought — from beet burgers to leafy green quinoa bowls.
"The airport," the report said, "replaced several fast-food restaurants, like Burger King and McDonald's, with healthier chain restaurants like The Counter, which serve vegan veggie burgers and salad bowls."
Other airports in the top five are Newark Liberty International, with 84 percent of its restaurants offering some vegan fare; San Francisco International and Philadelphia International, both at 82 percent; and Denver International at 80 percent.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International and Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta fall to the bottom of the rankings, with failing grades of 56 percent and 57 percent, respectively.
The physicians' group said that is because they have a "higher proportion of fast-food restaurant chains ... clogging their airport terminals."
The physicians group stresses bringing nutrition into medical education and practice.
It says studies show that plant-based diets are an effective way to lose and maintain a healthy weight, stabilize blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and alleviate anxiety, depression and fatigue.