Sitting on a plane for long stretches of time without comforting snacks can make a long flight feel even longer. If you want to save money by packing your own food, it’s smart to understand what kinds of sustenance you can bring through the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint.

Can you take food through TSA? The short answer is yes: You can bring food through security — as long as it meets other checkpoint requirements. Liquid foods come under particular scrutiny.

But before you decide to pack your own snacks or purchase something tasty in the terminal instead, find out more about the kinds of foods and snacks you can bring through TSA.

TSA food rules

According to the TSA website, travelers are able to bring solid food items onto a plane in either carry-on or checked baggage. Liquid and gel snacks are allowed in a carry-on only if they abide by the 3-1-1 rule; liquid size and quantity don't matter in checked bags, though overweight bags may carry additional fees.

The 3-1-1 rule states that you’re allowed to bring one quart-sized bag of items such as liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in a carry-on through the TSA checkpoint. All items in the bag are limited to travel-sized containers that are a maximum of 3.4 ounces (or 100 milliliters) in volume.

There are some exceptions to amount limitations for certain items, such as breast milk. Here’s a summary of TSA food rules.

The TSA food rules apply to all passengers, regardless of if you’re heading through the general security line or expediting the process with a Clear or TSA PreCheck membership.

Visit the TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” page for more information on the above permissible items.

Can you bring your own food through TSA?

You might already have some snacks in your pantry that would make great company on your next flight. If you’re flying domestically, solid snacks are good to go — as are liquids or gels that meet the above 3-1-1 rules.