I always sat in Gatwick airport for a couple of hours before take-off eating good stuff such as egg or tuna sandwiches, fruit and salady things, washed down with only water. Then I'd buy a large bottle of water 'airside' and save some with which to clean my teeth once arrived at my destination in the 'bush'. On the plane I always buried my head in my trusty travelling jacket hood and slept, (having feasted my eyes on the nice Africans all around me!) That way I didn't need to eat or drink on board. Night flights are better spent like that, or your daily 'clock' gets all mixed up. At 3am in Tripoli I'd sit quietly and doze (having feasted my eyes on all the nice Arab men!) until I boarded for Ghana or wherever. Always try to eat only when you would normally at home. And avoid alcohol at all costs. (Afriqiya was a Muslim airline, so no booze anyway) Water is the best, as long as it's safely bottled.