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Every traveler, from casual to frequent flyer, has an opinion about airplane food. They may appreciate the food, but they strongly object to eating food that has been pre-cooked and then reheated in the air.

But what do the people responsible for preparing and serving these dishes on board think about it?

HuffPost spoke to three flight attendants about the airplane meals they would never eat during a flight and the ones they would actually recommend.

They also revealed some interesting facts about the industry. For example, did you know that most of the food on the plane is prepared by a handful of catering companies and then transported by truck to the various airports?

In addition, many employees bring their own food to work, says Whytney, a flight attendant who has worked for a major U.S. airline for seven years.

“Typically, people bring a pretty large, insulated lunch box with everything in it: meat, yogurt, salad, fruit and more,” said Whytney, who asked that her last name not be used for privacy reasons.

However, if you participate in the flight ticket, avoid the following foods and drinks.

Water (as well as coffee and tea)

Although bottled water is fine, people should be careful with tap water, Whytney explained.

“It depends on how often the pipes are cleaned,” she said, pointing out that tap water on airplanes is also often used to make coffee and tea.

“The problem does not affect the United States so much as other countries where there are no comparable regulations.”

A 2019 study evaluated 11 major and 12 regional airlines on water quality, looking at factors such as Escherichia coli or coli bacteria were present.

Although it did not specify how often each airline cleaned its pipes, the study found that Alaska Airlines and Allegiant Air offered the safest water. JetBlue and Spirit Air came in last.

“Most flight attendants don’t drink tap water, coffee or tea,” says Whytney, but notes that the latter two beverages can also lead to dehydration – another reason to avoid them when traveling.

To further prevent dehydration, Jasmine King, who has worked as a flight attendant since 2015, recommends avoiding salty snacks such as nuts and pretzels.

Steaks and fillets

Although it is a matter of personal preference, some flight attendants avoid eating steaks and fillets while on the job because they are not prepared as well. In particular, they are almost always overcooked.

“The ovens are only a certain size and only a certain amount of food can fit in them,” said Dennis, a Delta Air Lines flight attendant whose name has been changed to avoid possible reprisal against his employer.

“If you have special requirements for the preparation of your steak, don’t eat it,” he added.

In general, dishes such as steak and fillets should be heated properly to avoid the risk of food poisoning.

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alcohol

Dehydration can also be a problem for passengers who consume alcohol.

“Alcohol has a negative effect on your body at high altitudes,” says Whytney, referring to a condition called hypoxia, which is related to low oxygen levels in the body’s tissues.

“The air pressure in the aircraft cabin is lower than normal,” Dr Clare Morrison, a medical doctor at MedExpress, told HuffPost UK.

“This reduced pressure means the body has a harder time taking in oxygen,” she added. “This can lead to lightheadedness or hypoxia. In other words, the lower oxygen levels in your blood mean you may appear drunker in the air than you do on the ground after consuming the same amount of alcohol.”

And if you drink your drink on ice, there’s one more thing to keep in mind: The ice was probably made from the same tap water that many flight attendants avoid.

Main courses in general

According to a German study commissioned by the airline Lufthansa over a decade ago, factors such as low pressure can cause certain foods to taste less intense to passengers – which is why catering companies on airplanes add a lot of salt to their food.

“Pasta and soups are usually high in sodium,” Whytney said. “Some Indian dishes also fall into this category because they don’t have meat but are higher in salt. Any kind of sandwich with sausage is also likely to be higher in salt.”

Vanessa Rissetto, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian and co-founder of Culina Health, previously told HuffPost that “some people retain water during a flight due to pressure changes, so overly processed foods or foods that are too high in sodium” could worsen headaches, constipation or fatigue caused by dehydration.

“Try electrolyte tablets or coconut water for hydration, and try whole foods like vegetables and fruits or lean proteins to help you feel your best,” she said.

Cheese platters

Anyone who orders a cheese platter on an airplane hoping for a delicious selection will likely be disappointed. King said most of the options served on airplanes are processed cheeses that do not need to be refrigerated.

“Stay away from cheese platters because they’re not as fresh anymore,” she advised. “They may be made of cheese, but they’re essentially shelf-stable products.”

In general, anything that needs to be refrigerated may not be as fresh when served on an airplane, King noted, adding that while she sometimes eats such foods herself, she does not recommend it.

Of course, all food goes through an extensive inspection process before it is served on the plane. But since flight attendants regularly come into contact with the airfare, you should keep their advice in mind.

This post originally appeared on HuffPost.