How to Eat Healthy at The Mall

A person with healthy eating habits might have a hard time choosing what to eat at the mall. There are numerous options to pick from. Unfortunately, most foods are loaded with sugar and fats, and the temptation can be hard to beat. Besides that, trying to choose a healthy option from some restaurants might be difficult because even what looks healthy on the menu is still packed with calories.

You might have a better chance of getting healthy food at an international food court because there are various types of restaurants. For example, you can get Indian food, Chinese food, and much more. The best way to maintain your healthy eating habits while at the mall is to have a nutritious meal before getting there. Other like-minded shoppers suggest you carry a healthy snack to eat while making your rounds.

This doesn’t mean that you still can’t get hungry at the mall, so here are several tips to help you eat healthy at the mall. 

Get nutritional information

Nutritional information here means the number of calories contained in the food. Some restaurants have the info on their menus or right at the counter. However, you should also do your research before buying food from your favourite vendors at the international food court. This will help you make wiser choices while at the restaurant. For example, you can choose to eat one cookie with 190-210 calories instead of a sticky bun with over 800 calories. 

Avoid the combos

Combo meals can be such a bargain financially, but the extra items on the side might be what make you fall out of the healthy wagon. When it comes to calories, combo meals have no bargain. From the sugary drinks and salads with mayo, there’s no winning. It’s better to order a small meal with water even though it will cost you a few more dollars. 

Careful not to drink your calories

When you walk into a mall, you will see several people walking with large plastic cups of soda, smoothies, ice teas, lemonades, and fancy coffee drinks. One cup of these sugary drinks can have 500 calories depending on the size. It’s essential to stay hydrated since you’ll be walking around a lot so carry a bottle of water with you at all times. If you want something hot, order something with skim milk or herbal tea. 

Avoid the fast-food joints

Every mall has at least two sit-down restaurants with healthier options. At such a restaurant, you can order a salad or request more veggies with your meals. Skip the bread basket and go for whole-grain meals like brown rice, oats, or barley. Order sauces on the side and avoids smoked foods. If you must order dessert, go with a fruit salad. If you want something sweeter, share it with your friends, so you have a smaller portion.

If you can, it’s better to avoid going to the food court altogether to maintain your healthy lifestyle. It’s acceptable to carry your snacks, sit on one of the tables at the food court and enjoy your healthy meal.