Shopping can be completely exhausting, particularly at this time of year! Often convenience rules over healthier options, when it comes to choosing what to eat, with many of us opting for Pizza, French fries, sticky buns, and creamy coffees.

So, in the interest of not adding “lose weight” to our list of new year’s resolutions, here are 5 short tips for healthier eating at the mall this Christmas:

1) Start out with a healthy breakfast before leaving home, such as porridge, muesli, or scrambled eggs on wholegrain bread etc. This will prevent your energy levels flagging mid-morning, and will see you through to lunchtime.

2) Keep yourself well hydrated by carrying water with you at all times. Dehydration will leave you feeling lifeless and irritable – not a good combination when you have ‘serious shopping’ on your list!

3) Lunchtime – choose restaurants which offer a healthy alternative, such as Subway or Au Bon Pain etc. Opt for wholegrain breads, lean meats, grilled fish, salads (without the creamy dressings), vegetables, pasta, boiled rice, and ask for dressing or sauces on the side.

4) Bring a supply of healthy snacks – fruit, a bag of mixed nuts and seeds, or even a little dark chocolate to help with those sweet cravings – this way you’ll be prepared if your energy levels do start to drop.

5) If you need a little extra boost, relax and unwind with a skimmed mocha, latte, cappuccino, or a soy latte. If coffee’s not your thing, you could choose a small glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice.

This is part of your Christmas Survival Guide, please let me know your thoughts, queries, suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. You may also want to check out Part 1 and Part 2 of this guide.

Photo source.