CorbisBy Nicole DeCoursy
After zooming from one end of the mall to the other, don't you deserve a quick bite? Of course. Does it have to be greasy fries, gooey cinnamon buns, or some other equally fattening, sodium-loaded calorie bomb? No way! Believe it or not, you can eat healthy while you tackle holiday errands. Check out our delicious, nutritious picks.
Health.com: 25 diet-busting foods you should never eat
Asian Grilled Salmon on Brown Rice (P.F. Chang's China Bistro)
This salmon-and-asparagus entrée won top honors because it's "a simple, wholesome dish with real foods," panelist David Katz, MD, says. Brown rice is a great source of fiber and salmon's omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to improve memory. Omega-3s also help reduce inflammation in the body and may help lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. Since one order contains enough for two servings, split it with a friend-you'll save money and calories.
Serving size: 6 ounces, or 1/2 of entrée
Calories 230; Fat 12g (sat 2.5g); Protein 17g; Carbohydrate 14g; Fiber 2g; Sodium 300mg
Moroccan Chicken Salad (California Pizza Kitchen)
Dressed with a champagne vinaigrette, this salad contains loads of flavorful veggies (avocado, beets, red bell peppers, roasted butternut squash, romaine lettuce) and even fruit (dates and dried cranberries). "You're eating the rainbow here," says dietitian and judge Ellie Krieger, RD. "You'll get a wide array of antioxidants like beta carotene from the squash and anthocyanins from the beets." And 7 grams of fiber make this a super-satisfying dish. The salad may be high in total fat, but a fair amount of it comes from the avocado, which is chock-full of healthy, monounsaturated fats.
Serving size: 1 (1/2-portion) salad
Calories 412; Fat 27g (sat 4g); Protein 12g; Carbohydrate 30g; Fiber 7g; Sodium 309mg
Health.com: The 50 fattiest foods in the states
Chicken on Flatbread with Hummus Artisan Snack Plate (Starbucks)
This snack or light lunch has a mix of veggies (grape tomatoes, carrot and cucumber sticks) and protein (chicken and hummus), which keeps you energized. Our experts commended Starbucks overall for adding healthy options like this one to their menu.
Serving size: 1 snack plate
Calories 250; Fat 9g (sat 0g); Protein 17g; Carbohydrate 27g; Fiber 5g; Sodium 520mg
Roasted Eggplant, Spinach, and Feta Multigrain Pizza (Uno Chicago Grill)
This veggie pizza boasts a full roster of good-for-you ingredients and a crust made mainly with whole-wheat stone-ground flour. "Unlike other fast-food pies, this one is relatively light on sodium," panelist Frances Largeman-Roth, RD, says. But stick to just two or three slices, then take the rest home or share it with a friend.
Serving size: 1/3 of (10 1/2-inch) pizza
Calories 290; Fat 11g (sat 3.5g); Protein 13g; Carbohydrate 37g; Fiber 6g; Sodium 400mg
Health.com: 36 holiday foods you shouldn't eat
Mayan Chicken Harvest Rice Bowl with Brown Rice (Au Bon Pain)
Slow-cooked chicken with spices served over brown rice and topped with a field-green salad? Not your typical mall fare. Our panel thought this was a creative mix of lean protein, veggies, and whole grains. "It's a very complete meal," Dr. Katz says. It has a bit more calories than some of our other picks, so make it your main meal of the day. One thing the panelists didn't care for: the addition of partially hydrogenated oil. However, the amount is small enough that the company can still claim the dish has zero grams of trans fat.
Serving size: 1 bowl
Calories 510; Fat 13g (sat 3g); Protein 27g; Carbohydrate 72g; Fiber 4g; Sodium 870mg
Continue reading: Health.com: America's Healthiest Mall Food
244 comments