Shopping mall food court

A common misconception about shopping malls is that they only offer unhealthy food options, but in reality, most shopping mall food courts offer a variety of healthy and nutritious foods. As with any other type of restaurant, it’s important to balance your diet and make sure you’re eating a wide variety of foods.

Secrets to Saving Money at a Shopping Mall Food Court

If you're looking for a quick and cheap lunch, make your way to the food court of a shopping mall. You'll find all kinds of inexpensive options, from pizza to sushi to hot dogs. A popular strategy is to bring along a reusable water bottle and fill it up with free refills at each table. Another tip: Don't order that hot dog with everything on it. In other words, skip the ketchup and mayonnaise; they're not free.

In addition to saving money, you'll also be reducing your impact on the environment. (You're not contributing to the plastic pollution that's plaguing our oceans.) And you might make some new friends while you're out and about.

How to Make the Healthiest Choices at the Food Court

You can do a lot to make healthy choices at the food court. Start by picking foods that are low in calories and high in nutrients. Look for fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products.

You want to keep your carbohydrate intake low. This means staying away from sugary drinks like sodas, sweetened teas, and sports drinks. Instead, drink water or unsweetened juices. When you are out with friends at the food court, you can share a meal or side dishes instead of ordering a full meal for yourself. You can also ask for half portions or set up a “sub box” for your meal so you don’t have to eat everything on your plate at once. Finally, when sitting down at a restaurant, pick one dish and order it without anything else on the side (no extra bread, rice, etc).