Mall Food Court Swaps
Most Americans will find themselves in a mall in the next month, and you can count on one thing: a food court. Take a tour, and you cannot help but cringe…and then either sigh wistfully as you pass up your favorites, or have a few regrets later if you give into temptation. We have an idea. Skip the gut-busting disasters, and enjoy guilt-free fare instead. These are our ideas.
Pretzels
A soft pretzel sounds healthy, but can you really afford the 65 grams of carbs in a soft pretzel? The total hikes up to 84 grams of carbs, including 28 grams of sugars, if you choose a cinnamon-sugar variety, and you’ll get another 10 grams of fat if it is rolled in butter. Have a bag of Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Logs with only 17 grams of carbs, and as much protein as active carbs.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Those fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies are awfully tempting, but you really do not need the 19 grams of sugar and 10 grams of fat each one delivers. If you are really in need of a soft-baked cookie, opt for a Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal Raisin Protein Cookie with 15 grams of protein and 8 grams of sugar.
Smoothie
A fruit smoothie is so healthy-sounding, so classic, and…so sugary! Skip the 50 grams of sugar in a classic strawberry banana smoothie and instead try a Strawberry Banana Protein Smoothie. It has a cool 3 grams of sugar and a filling 15 grams of protein, so there will be no sugar crash as you keep shopping all afternoon. It even comes in its own bottle, so all you have to do is add water and shake it up.
Cinnamon Rolls
Without question, the proverbial elephant in the room at the mall is the cinnamon roll bakery. The sweet smell seems to reach every corner of the mall, calling you to devour an 800-calorie cinnamon roll. We have a better idea. Check your pocket and pull out a Crispy Cinnamon Protein Bar. It has a sweet cinnamon and sugar flavor, and a creamy vanilla-frosted base, but only 160 calories. Its 15 grams of protein will help you feel satisfied without guilt, and you do not even need to use a napkin.
