UK Edition
Gatwick airport introduces 'happy meals' to cheer up passengers
Your flight has been delayed, you’ve forgotten to pack the family’s beach towels and the middle child has gone missing somewhere. As you struggle through the perfume section of the duty-free, it might at that point feel as if there is nothing in the world to turn the start of your holiday around.
Unless you happen to be at Gatwick. The London airport announced today that its restaurants have teamed up with a nutritionist to serve special meals packed with serotonin, designed to boost passengers’ mood.
The dishes at eight establisments across the north and south terminal range from Yo Sushi’s albacore tuna and truffle ponzu to Frankie & Benny’s salmon citrus salad. Wondertree is offering a Good Morning Wake Up smoothie with pineapple, pear, banana, papaya and orange juice.
Ten of the top ingredients used in the dishes that Gatwick says will help you eat yourself happy include salmon, chickpeas and oats (see below for the full list). The special meals are designated by a smiley face emoji beside them on the menu.
Nutritionist Jo Travers said people often didn’t realise how much of an impact what they eat can have on their mood. “Happiness is a complex thing," she said, "but there are certain foods that will help the ‘happy’ chemicals in your brain to keep flowing.
“Two key players are the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, along with amino acids tryptophan and theanine, which can contribute to the creation of serotonin, known to most as ‘happy hormones’.
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Gatwick hopes to boost passengers' serotonin levels before they fly
“Low levels of these chemicals can cause fatigue in addition to lowering existing levels of serotonin. Similarly, a deficiency of Omega 3 can lead to fatigue and mood swings.”
The airport’s business development manager Charlotte Christiansen said: “Passenger experience and happiness is a top priority at Gatwick and we want to help travellers start their holidays early from the moment they step foot in Gatwick.”
The happy meals will be available throughout August.
• What foods will boost your mood?
Top 10 ingredients to make you happy
1. Salmon
2. Tuna
3. Bananas
4. Oats
5. Citrus fruit
6. Spinach and kale
7. Sesame seeds
8. Green tea
9. Chickpeas
10. Soy and soy products like miso