Product: WestJet Snack Box

Price: $6

The position: "Our delicious buy-on-board menu is available on most flights." The seven components: Cheerios Snack Mix, Oreo-Thinsations, Big Chief beef jerky, Grissol Melba toast, Swiss Knight cheese, Crunch Biscotti and Fruitsource fruit bar.

Nutritional breakdown: 1 snack box: 792 calories, 26 g fat (9.5 saturated and trans), 1880 mg sodium, 114 g carbohydrate (7.5 g fibre, 50.5 g sugar) 27 g protein

Analysis: This is an odd combination of snack foods in one box. I recommend a snack should be 150 to 200 calories with a balance of carbohydrate and protein. This has carbs and protein, but more calories, fat and sodium than I recommend in an entire meal.

This snack contains 1,880 mg of sodium, 82 per cent of the daily value. An unfortunate choice, since excess sodium can bring about fluid retention, an issue for air travellers due to restricted movement and cabin pressure.

Alternative: WestJet offers two free snacks: a mini bag (15 g) of Bits and Bites snack mix with 220 mg of sodium, and Peek Freans shortcake with 75 mg sodium (2 biscuits). Or try to bring your own snack.

Take it or leave it: This snack box is not cleared for take off.

Jean LaMantia is the registered dietitian for Toronto's Adelaide Club.