FitSugar

Food Court Survival: Part I

FitSugar — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 03:00:00 -0800

The mall is almost unavoidable during the holidays, and something about all that running around and waiting in lines makes me hungry. What's worse: Not only am I hungry, but I also know there is a place where food is easily accessible. That place, like the fast food holy land, is the Food Court.

Don't worry, we can get through this.

My first idea is to stick to places where you can actually eat healthy. Deli-type places (Au Bon Pain, Subway, etc.) that don't even have a deep fryer are good options - in other words, places where you can't get french fries and onion rings. Places such as Cinnabon, where it's gooey cinnamon roles or nothing, are out.

Au Bon Pain is a favorite of mine but watch out for cheeses, mayonnaise, and any other special sauces they throw on a sandwich and opt for mustard instead. A great option is the Tuna Nicoise Salad, with 270 calories and 12 grams of fat; get the dressing on the side to lower those numbers even more. People tend to think Chinese food is healthy, but that is not always the case - go steamed or not at all. A good option at Panda Express is the Mushroom Chicken with a side of mixed veggies, all for about 220 calories and 15 grams of fat.

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Food Court Survival: Healthy Fast Food Options

FitSugar — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:30:00 -0800

If you're braving the mall this Black Friday, chances are you're going to need to refuel at the food court as well. Although there are choices galore on the food front, many of them are high in calories and fat, so here are some healthier options to munch on. They may not be the healthiest choices on the planet, but they're better than succumbing to a Big Mac attack.

From Subway:
6" Veggie Delite: 230 calories, 1 g saturated fat
6" Turkey Breast: 280 calories, 1.5 g saturated fat
6" Oven Roasted Chicken Breast: 310 calories, 1.5 g saturated fat

Not into those choices? Then read more.

From McDonald's:
Premium Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken: 320 calories, 3 g saturated fat
Premium Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken: 300 calories, 1 g saturated fat
Premium Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken: 220 calories, 3 g saturated fat
Snack Size Fruit & Walnut Salad: 210 calories, 1.5 g of saturated fat

Opt for no dressing or choose from these two:

Newman's Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette: 40 calories, 0 g saturated fat
Newman's Own Low Fat Family Recipe Italian Dressing: 60 calories, 0 g saturated fat

From Wendy's:
Chicken Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken Fillet: 490 calories, 7 g saturated fat
Broccoli and Cheese Potato: 320 calories, 1.5 g saturated fat
Grilled Chicken Go Wrap: 260 calories, 3.5 g saturated fat
Ultimate Chicken Grill: 320 calories, 1.5 g saturated fat
Premium Fish Fillet Sandwich: 450 calories, 3.5 g saturated fat
Side of Mandarin Oranges: 80 calories, 0 g saturated fat

From Taco Bell:
Fresco Bean Burrito: 330 calories, 2.5 g saturated fat
Regular Style Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco: 270 calories, 4 g saturated fat
Regular Style Spicy Chicken Soft Taco: 170 calories, 2 g saturated fat
Fresco Style Spicy Chicken Burrito: 340 calories, 3 g saturated fat
Fresco Style Fiesta Burrito - Beef: 350 calories, 4 g saturated fat
Fresco Style Chalupa Supreme - Chicken: 300 calories, 2 g saturated fat

From Dunkin' Donuts:
Multigrain bagel w/ reduced fat vegetable cream cheese: 520 calories, 8 g saturated fat
Turkey and Cheese Sandwich: 510 calories, 6 g saturated fat
Garden Salad: 240 calories, 5 g saturated fat
Chicken Noodle Soup: 140 calories, 1 g saturated fat
Reduced Fat Blueberry Muffin: 400 calories, 2 g saturated fat

From Sbarro:

Slice of thin-crust cheese pizza: 460 calories, 3.5 g saturated fat

Fit's Tip: Another great option is to pack your own healthy snacks or sandwiches. You'll know it's low in calories and fat, will save you money, and you won't have to wait in those long lines.

Food Court Survival Roundup

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 02:30:00 -0800

The holidays are upon us, which means so is shopping. Whether you're jumping for joy or shuddering it's pretty much unavoidable.
This means that the food court is also relatively unavoidable, so I've come up with a few ideas to help you survive the food court while shopping this holiday season (and beyond).

Part One: Stick to places that actually offer healthy fare.
Part Two: Bring your own snacks.
Part Three: Skip dessert shops altogether.

If you have your own tip for navigating your way through the food court without consuming a few hundred extra calories, then share them in the comments section below.

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Food Court Survival: Part II

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 03:30:00 -0800

Don't worry, we can get through this.

I already shared a few survival strategies, and another idea is to bring your own snacks. Healthy snacking options are limited at the food court: Think french fries, bagels, candy, and cookies. Last year user redsugar suggested carrying a zip top bag full of nuts so you can satisfy your hunger without heading to Cinnabon.

If you forget your baggie of healthy munchies, then pretzel shops are not always a bad option. The Jalapeño Pretzel without butter from Auntie Anne's has 270 calories and no trans fat (this was the best I could find at Auntie Anne's in terms of nutrition) - not horrible. If you're cutting out white flour, then try the Whole Wheat Pretzel (no butter) with 350 calories and 1.5 grams of fat.

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Don't Get "Malled" by the Food Court

FitSugar — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 05:30:00 -0800

I hate to be the one to bring it up, but it's that time of year again -- time to think about getting that holiday shopping done. [Insert scream heard round the world.] I usually try to do a lot of my shopping online, but I always still have to make the obligatory trip to the mall for something that I couldn't get online.

While I'm there, I get hungry. It's unavoidable, and it just happens. What's worse? Not only am I hungry but I also know there is a place where food is so easily accessible. A place that reminds me of the fast food holy land: The Food Court.

For ways to hit the food court without hitting rock bottom on your diet, read more

Stick to places you can actually eat healthy.
Deli type places that don't even have a deep fryer are good options -- french fries and onion rings couldn't be worse for you. Au Bon Pain is a great choice but watch out for cheeses, mayonnaise and any other special sauces they throw at you. Opt for mustard. A great option is the Tuna Nicoise Salad, 270 calories and 12 grams of fat (get the dressing on the side to lower those numbers).

When you want a snack, your options are more limited.
The pretzel shops may seem like a daunting place but at Auntie Anne's the Jalapeño Pretzel without Butter has 270 calories, and no trans fat (this was the best I could find at Auntie Anne's in terms of Nutrition). If you're cutting out white flour then try the Whole Wheat Pretzel (no butter) with 350 calories and 1.5 grams of fat.

Skip cookie shops, like Mrs. Fields and Nestles, altogether. They are just too tempting. If you need something sweet head to a candy store and get some dark chocolate with a high cocoa amount. If I still can't convince you to stay away from Dairy Queen, then go with the vanilla soft serve (small). It has about 140 calories and 4.5 grams of fat.

And if you get out of there without eating a single french fry, you are so good! I wish you luck!

Food Court Survival: Part III

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:30:00 -0800

The mall is almost unavoidable during the holidays and something about all that running around and waiting in lines that makes me hungry. What's worse? Not only am I hungry but I also know there is a place where food is so easily accessible. A place that reminds me of the fast-food holy land: The Food Court. Don't worry, we can get through this.

One idea is to skip dessert shops, like Mrs. Fields, Cinnabon, and Nestles, altogether. They are just too tempting, especially when you are craving something sweet. If you absolutely need something sweet then head to a candy store and get some dark chocolate with a high cocoa content. Even better? Bring some from home in your purse. If I still can't convince you to stay away from Dairy Queen, then go with the vanilla soft serve (small). It has about 140 calories and 4.5 grams of fat - not too bad.

Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:00:34 -0700

Plate up with these foods next time you're at a salad bar - Shape
Do you miss Nadal's biceps on the tennis court? - Social Workout
Huge Lips Skinny Hips: appetite-suppressing lip gloss? -
Learn Heidi Klum's favorite booty move - FitCeleb
How do you feel about stripping down in the locker room? - Vitamin G
Sweat while sightseeing and take a running tour of the Big Apple - Fresh Fitness Tips
Reasons to skip the antibacterial soap - The Weather Channel
Tips on keeping Boston Market diet friendly - Daily Spark

Healthy Eating Tip: Saturdays Can Slow Weight Loss

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0700

If you're not losing weight as you expected, take a look at how you eat on Saturday.

Recent research has found that people on strict diet and exercise programs tend to lose weight more slowly than expected because they eat more on weekends, particularly on Saturdays, than during the week. In order to avoid this pitfall in your weight loss endeavors, it's important to plan for the weekends, just like you would plan for your week. If you know you are going to be out all day shopping, pack a healthy lunch to avoid the temptation of the food court. If you're going to be at the park with your kids, bring snacks for everyone so that you don't need to make an emergency stop at McDonald's.

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Don't Let the Weekend Derail Your Health Plans

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Weekends are fabulous because they allow us time to step away from the office and relax (hopefully). Sometimes though, we go all out on the weekend, and it can be a big step backwards in terms of our health goals. If you've found that last weekend did a number on your diet, don't fret over it too much. Instead use these easy steps from Health.com on how to keep moving forward during the weekends rather than falling behind. Here are five of my favorite ideas:

Weigh yourself twice a week - either Friday and Monday a.m. or Thursday and Monday a.m. There’s nothing better to keep you on track than knowing that you have to face the scale come Monday morning.
“Bank” calories: If you know you are going out for dinner and will overeat, cut back even more the day before and after to compensate.
Limit your alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a diet double-whammy; it’s not only rich in calories itself, but it also reduces inhibitions and increases appetite.

There are other great tips so read more.

Pack fruit and healthy snacks or lunches if you’re going to be out of the house all day, so you don’t have to rely on food-court and concession-stand choices.
If you need to cheat on the weekend, plan what and when you’re going to cheat, enjoy it, then get back on track. One indiscretion won’t set you back - but a weekend of multiple indulgences will.

Visit Health.com for even more tips.

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NYC Chain Restaurants Required to Display Calories, Starting Monday

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I applauded New York City when it banned trans fat from restaurants and started using healthier oils. I was psyched that fast food chains were also being required to post calorie counts on their menus but annoyed that McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's decided that rule didn't apply to them. So it went through the courts, and too bad for them, they're going to have to listen. A judge declared that this regulation is reasonable and will apply to restaurants in NYC that are part of chains with at least 15 outlets across the country. That includes fast-food places like McDonald’s and sit-down chains such as Olive Garden and T.G.I. Friday’s.

The calorie posting rule goes into effect this Monday, April 21. Some restaurants including Starbucks and Chipotle have already started to post calories on menus, but the Health Department won't start fining non-complying restaurants until June 3.

NYC is hoping that by displaying calories, consumers can make healthier choices (like deciding NOT to super-size it), and it will then help to reduce the prevalence of obesity and diabetes (type 2). New York City is the first US city to enact a regulation regarding displaying calories on menus, but Seattle and the state of California are both considering similar bills. Pretty awesome, huh? Do you think this displayed info will affect people's food decisions?

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