With the holiday season having arrived you may find yourself out and about at the malls and other retail stores, getting gifts, decorations and more. It is easy to get distracted from your weight loss plan when you are tired, hungry and faced with the fast food. Instead of being forced to give up all that you worked so hard to achieve, use the following strategies to help you navigate the food court.
Be prepared
Obviously, if you are able to eat before your shopping trip and bring some healthy food with you, then you will be ahead of the game. Pack a simple sandwich, a piece of fruit and water or skim milk in an insulated lunch bag. Leave the bag in your car. You’ll have to head back to the car anyway to drop off bags, so use the opportunity to take a time out and eat. As a bonus, you’ll save money, too.
Choose wisely
While the warm smell of pizza wafts over to you, you might forget that there are better choices for you to choose. In general, safe bets are salads with no dressing or a non creamy dressing (I asked for a cut lemon and squeeze that over my salad), grilled chicken, clear soups, junior sizes of regular items (you get to keep the toy, but make sure to ask them to skip the mayo or secret sauce), beans, turkey, skim milk, water and fruit.
Shop alone
Believe it or not, you are more likely to stop at the food court if you are shopping with a friend. You are also more likely to make choices that are poor. There is often a sort of misery or indulgence loves company. If your friend is having a double bacon cheese burger and large fries, then why shouldn’t you? If you do want to shop with a buddy, have the lunch or snack plans worked out in advance.
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!
Related Articles:
I Know Why the Grilled Cheese Sings