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The Cost of Convenience: Calories in Food Court Meals

Heather Dale — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:26:27 PDT

With all of the calories you can burn while shopping, it's no wonder that food courts are packed with treats to tempt your taste buds. But how many calories do some of our food court favorites have? Take the quiz to find out!

Source: Flickr User pjf@cpan

Take the Quiz

The Food Court Musical

GiggleSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:00:00 PDT

Improv Everywhere is known for busting out comedic performances in unlikely locations, so they staged a musical - in a shopping mall food court. It all started with the Hot Dog on a Stick girl crying over spilled lemonade and ended with the whole food court triumphantly singing about napkin shortage. Hungry patrons, clueless that the joke was on them, didn't know whether to laugh or cry. If you ask me, all they had to do was buy a corn dog from the crying chick and tell her to shove it. But that would have made this a lot less funny.

Food Court Survival: Part I

FitSugar — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 03:00:00 PST

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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How Celeb Trainer Gunnar Peterson Keeps Sofia Looking Hot

Leta Shy — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:49:57 PST

Modern Family star Sofia Vergara is known both on and off the red carpet for her enviable figure, and award season is definitely a time when the actress can shine. Between her glamorous gowns and camera-ready makeup, Sofia always looks the part. But the self-described gym hater also works hard to keep fit. We spoke to her trainer Gunnar Peterson (whose clients have also included Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, and Angelina Jolie), to learn more about how Sofia gets award-season ready. Read his tips below.

Make it fun: How does Gunnar keep his celebrity clients sticking to their routine? "I try to keep it fun. I try and put a little bit of levity in it, but at the same time, I don’t sacrifice the work. We may goof around and stuff, but we’re definitely going to goof around while we’re working." A boring workout is one you won't want to stick to, so read our tips on how to keep a workout fun.

Whole-body workout: Gunnar doesn't like to waste time with isolated moves. Burn more calories and work more of your body at the same time instead. "I don’t do that many isolation movements, like single joint stuff," Gunnar says. "I do bigger movements. If we’re going to do a lunge, we’re probably going to add an upper body component to it, like a lunge with a wood chop, a side lunge with a wood chop, or a rear lunge with a lateral raise, or a forward lunge with a front raise." Try it yourself: incorporate this medicine ball wood chop the next time you do lunges, and check out Gunnar's cutting-edge double-duty gym equipment here.

Read on for more tips from celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson.

Food Court Survival: Healthy Fast Food Options

FitSugar — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:30:00 PST

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.

Black Friday: Food Court Survival Guide

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 02:30:03 PST

Black Friday. A day full of deals, long lines, and schlepping bags full of gifts around the mall. It's a shopping marathon and a gal needs to fuel for endurance events.

The holiday season is full wonderful home-baked treats, you don't want to waste precious calories on run-of-the-mill food court fare. I have found a few items that are lower in calories and saturated fat and though may not be the healthiest choices overall, like celeb trainer Valerie Waters says, sometimes you just have to just make the better choice.

From Dunkin' Donuts:
Multigrain bagel w/ reduced fat veggie cream cheese: 510 calories, 6.5 g saturated fat
Egg White Turkey Sausage Flatbread Sandwich: 290 calories, 3 g saturated fat
Egg White and Cheese Wake-Up Wrap: 150 calories, 3 g saturated fat

From McDonald's:
Premium Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken: 320 calories, 3 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

Not lovin' those option? Then look for more choices after the break.

Is It Hard to Stick to Your Diet Over the Holidays?

Leta Shy — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:05:42 PST

Chances are you've been to a holiday party or two already. And besides the guaranteed drinks and merriment with your friends and family, there's another guarantee - the table of never-ending treats.

It can be hard to think about diet and exercise during a month chock-full of cookies, candy, and eggnog. I've asked my friends if it's been easy to stick to a diet as the holiday festivities ramp up, and most of them answer with a resounding, "No!" I'm the same; for me, the holidays mean less a focus on diet than ensuring I stick to a pretty normal workout routine (regular exercise is one of the best ways to prevent holiday weight gain), so I don't feel a compelling need to limit myself when the treats roll by.

If you're having the same trouble staying with a diet plan, don't worry; we have some tried-and-true tips for staying healthy whether you're at a holiday party or if you're eyeing the food court while gift shopping. But if you've abandoned all hope until after New Year's Eve, you're not alone - after all, January's a big month for renewed diet resolutions for a reason, right? So tell us: do you conveniently forget about your diet plans over the holidays, or do you make sure you stick to your normal healthy eating plans?

Healthy Dose Link Time: Tracy Anderson Triceps Workout

Susi May — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:06:05 PST

Tone your triceps with these moves from Tracy Anderson - Fitness
Stuck at the mall? Healthier food-court options for last-minute shopping - Blisstree
Meet celeb dancing queens who dropped pounds on the floor - Huff Po
Engage your deepest core muscles for fast results around your middle - Prevention
Get inspired by Bernice. She's still doing yoga at 91 - Mind Body Green
Stuck inside for cardio? Try one of these treadmill workouts - Carrots 'n' Cake

Tips and Tricks For Avoiding Weekend Weight Gain

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 10:17:13 PST

When Friday rolls around, my weekend begins. I often celebrate by having friends come over for dinner or meeting them for a bite to eat. It's a great way to unwind from the busy week, but constantly letting loose on the weekends also means you might need to buy looser pants! Here are some tips for enjoying the weekend without derailing your diet.

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.
Eat healthy throughout the day if you know you'll be splurging at night. Focus on eating meals that are packed with fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. Then you can feel good about going overboard for dinner.
Don't starve yourself to save calories for later. It'll not only mess up your metabolism, but by dinner time, that famished feeling will likely cause you to eat more than you would if you weren't starving.
Have a healthy snack before heading to a big brunch or dinner. It'll take the edge off your hunger.
Know what you're going to order before you go out to eat. That way you're less tempted by the plethora of choices.
Limit the martinis and cosmos. Alcohol is a diet double-whammy; it’s not only rich in calories itself, but it also reduces inhibitions and increases appetite. So stick to the one-drink-a-day rule.

There are other great tips, so read more.

Grey's Anatomy Rundown, "Put Me In, Coach"

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:43:54 PDT

The doctors of Seattle Grace are competing for more than just surgeries on this week's Grey's Anatomy; Owen is also trying to whip them into shape as a softball team. They're not exactly in prime athletic shape though, and even recruiting a former pro in Henry is no match for the stiff competition coming from Seattle Press.

It's on the lighter side of the spectrum as far as Grey's episodes go: everything works out peachy keen with their patients, and the show is low on drama - aside from Sloane and his new lady friend having a serious effect on Lexie. Let's break it down when you keep reading.