News You Can Use Distributed 11/29/06
The holidays mark the season of shopping and eating as shoppers rush to the mall to buy gifts. Malls are popular not just for the merchandise they carry but for the many restaurants and snack shops they offer.
Many malls offer healthy food selections such as made to order sandwiches and pizza, baked potatoes, frozen yogurt, bottled water, juices and grilled chicken. Some malls have whole fruits, such as bananas, oranges or apples, vegetables and even veggie burgers.
If you’re planning to spend time at the mall this holiday season, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames offers some tips to help you prevent overeating:
- Eat a healthy meal or snack before going to the mall. Shopping on an empty stomach may make you eat sooner or overeat at lunch.
- Share the holiday spirit and your food. Cut the calories by sharing a meal or holiday treats with a friend.
- Pack a lunch and take with you. Buy water or a low calorie drink at the mall to go with it.
- Plan a few laps of mall walking. The average person can burn approximately 220 to 310 calories per hour during brisk walking. Some malls have designated walking programs and are open to the public before stores actually open.
Shopping for an hour will burn only 164 calories, but by taking the stairs instead of the escalator, you’ll burn an extra 90 calories (per 10 minutes) going up and 32 calories going down.
"Later, you can burn 50 calories per half hour if you wrap those Christmas gifts yourself," Reames suggests.
LSU Ag Center nutritionists and Family Community Service agents recommend MyPyramid as a guide to healthful eating. For additional information about nutrition, contact the LSU AgCenter extension agent in your parish or visit www.MyPyramid.gov.