/Snack on this to de-stress your flight

AN airline is hoping to put a new spin on traditional plane food - by introducing a new experimental snack-box which aims to reduce stress.

The ‘Monarch Mood Food’ box was developed alongside food psychologist professor Charles Spence, who has worked with Heston Blumenthal and his team at The Fat Duck research kitchen in Bray and Josef Youssef, head chef at Kitchen Theory.

It features ingredients specially selected to get travellers in the holiday mood, enhance happiness, relaxation and wellbeing.

It follows new research which reveals that more than a third of Brits don’t relax until at least day three of their holiday, and nearly three quarters find travelling to their holiday destination stressful.

Before departing, passengers will be given liquorice ice cream, which contains immunity boosting echinacea, said is to reduce the symptoms of coughs and colds.

Ice cream was also voted the top holiday treat by 40 per cent of Brits.

For take off, green tea and lavender mochi rice cakes will be available.

Lavender has been proven to enhance relaxation and sleep quality in all ages and the high polyphenol content of green tea means it’s packed with antioxidants – adding a second boost of immunity.

Around 30 minutes into the flight, passengers will be offered a blend of herbal tea containing chamomile, fennel seed and kelp, proven to combat bloating and aid digestion. The additional of lemon balm provides aromatic properties that may help passengers to unwind further.

The tea will be accompanied by a crunchy, seaweed biscuit, delivering sweet yet salty umami tastes.

Finally, as the plane prepares to land, passengers will get a sweet caramelised nut bar coated in umami rich mushroom and tomato powder to re-energise and awaken them in time to start their holiday.