Surprisingly, the TSA allows almost all food items through the security checkpoint, so long as none of them are liquids (or non-solid type foods like hummus, creamy cheeses and peanut butter) in amounts exceeding 3.4 ounces. It’s very easy to bring on healthy snacks and meals; especially for long flights.   Items allowed for travel in your carry-on include baby food, bread, candy, cereal, cheese, chocolate, coffee grounds, cooked meats, cookies, crackers, dried fruits, fresh eggs, meat, seafood, and vegetables, frozen foods, gravy, gum, honey, hummus, nuts, pizza, salt, sandwiches, and all sorts of dry snacks.  There are some exceptions to the rule, and some special instructions for liquids.  Canned foods, partially melted ice packs, and alcoholic beverages provide the most trouble in getting through security checkpoints as these come with specific stipulations on when they can and cannot be transported in carry-on luggage.  For example, ice packs are completely fine as long as they are fully solid while going through security. If they have any liquid inside of them at the time of screening, the ice packs will be taken out. Similarly, if canned food items that contain liquids appear suspicious to TSA security officers, they may be taken out of your checked bag.  Check out https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/food for more details.