"food court" news and stories

Everybody knows that the safest bet if you want to eat healthy is to cook at home so you can control the ingredients. But that's not always an option when you're traveling or just crazy-busy. A new Food Court Survival Guide from cookinglight.com addresses that dilemma and offers six relatively healthy choices from McDonald's, Taco Bell, Starbucks and other fast-food restaurants.

Sodium, saturated fat and calories were the key considerations for the guide, according to the author, Katherine Brooking, M.S., R.D. While salads and sandwiches with grilled chicken are obvious choices, there were a few surprises on the list. Two items, including the Fresco Grilled Steak Soft Taco from Taco Bell, have beef, which is often considered a no-no for people trying to eat healthy. There's also a "Wok Smart" entrée from Panda Express that's not bursting with sodium (a common pitfall with fast food, says Brooking) and has only 250 calories. In other words, it's not only low in calories -- it's too low in calories for lunch, which should be 350 to 500 calories or more, depending on your individual calorie needs, says Brooking. (She suggests adding some extra brown rice and perhaps another side if you need a full meal).

This Food Court Quiz will test your knowledge of mall food like Orange Julius, Sbarro, Auntie Anne's and much more.

Are your kids already requesting a trip to Disney World for their summer vacation, or maybe you haven't decided where to go for some rest and relaxation this year? There is no reason not to factor food into the equation and if you're looking for something really fun, the Disney Pop Century Resort in Florida may be just the ticket. Not only can you relive just about every trend of your childhood at the brightly colored complex, but the food is just as exciting as the architecture. Retro-chic classic comfort foods, like fried chicken and mashed potatoes are served in a TV tray, and tye-dyed colors swirl through timeless favorites like cheesecake and fluffernutter sandwiches. All the food is served in a casual, food court-style setting, which makes it perfect for families with small children, offering something for everyone.

Cooking Light magazine has paired up with Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises to open a food kiosk at a gourmet food court in downtown Chicago. The food court is located in the Water Tower and the kiosk will sell foods based on recipes in Cooking Light, including a line of take-home entrees and side dishes intended as ready-made dinners. According to the New York Times, editors at the magazine see a lot of possibility in the kiosk as a potential column or test market for new ideas, while Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises is hoping to capitalize on some of the name recognition of the magazine to sell healthier options, though some would not be surprised to see advertiser-sponsored events appearing in-store to help make it a financial success. Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises owns and operates over 70 restaurants around the country, including the Eiffel Tower restaurant, in Las Vegas, and Tru, in Chicago.

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