4 of the Worst Mall Foods You Can Eat

From high-fat to calorie-filled: Shopping spree treats you should avoid.

March 19, 2009— -- The weather's getting nicer, but there's one indoor place you can't resist going to, sometimes on even the sunniest days: the mall. And whether you blame stress, shopping fatigue, or the irresistible smell of food-court treats slamming your senses from the minute you walk in the door, you'll probably end up chowing down at the mall during your shopping trip.

Here's the danger: Studies have shown that the more temptation people resist, the harder it becomes to continue resisting. That means after hours of being surrounded by tempting sales, special offers, and life-changing, one-time deals, your ability to resist the enticing edibles of the food court may be severely compromised.

And considering the industrial strength calorie bombs we uncovered while researching the Eat This, Not That! series, a lack of willpower in the presence of mall eateries can be a very dangerous thing.

Fortunately, we've developed a guide to help you navigate the nutritional pitfalls that pollute nearly every mall food court in America. What follows is a list of the worst foods we discovered in our scramble to save shoppers serious calories. Proceed with caution.

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More from Men's Health:

The 20 Worst Foods in America

The Best Fast Food Meals Under 500 Calories

The Unhealthiest Salads

"MOST FAT" in a Breakfast

Cinnabon

Regular Caramel Pecanbun

1,100 calories

56 g fat (10 g saturated, 5 g trans)

141 g carbs

47 g sugars

FAT EQUIVALENT: 8 White Castle Hamburgers

Cinnabon and malls are inseparable. But just because Cinnabon might be good for the Gap doesn't mean it's at all good for you. This dangerously bloated bun -- among these Fattiest Foods in America -- contains nearly an entire day's worth of fat and more than half of your daily allotment of calories. Reconsider your breakfast or snack options, but if you absolutely must eat something, make it Stix.

Eat This Instead:

Cinnabon Stix

379 calories

21 g fat (6 g saturated, 4 g trans)

41 g carbs

14 g sugars

"MOST SUGAR" in a Drink

Smoothie King

Grape Expectations II (40 oz)

1,096 calories

0 g fat (0 g saturated)

266 g carbs

250 g sugars

SUGAR EQUIVALENT: 13 Dunkin' Donuts Chocolate Frosted Donuts

Smoothie King calls this a way to "snack right"; we call it one of the quickest ways to pack on extra pounds. Even if most of the sugar comes from some form of fruit or fruit juice (in this case, ultra-sweet grape juice), the resulting blood-sugar surge (and inevitable energy crash) from this much sweetness may leave you struggling to find that perfect gift for your friend's birthday.

Drink This Instead:

Slim-N-Trim Orange-Vanilla 20 oz

250 calories

1 g fat (0 g saturated)

46 g carbs

38 g sugars

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More from Men's Health:

The 20 Worst Foods in America

The Best Fast Food Meals Under 500 Calories

The Unhealthiest Salads

"MOST SODIUM" in a Soup

Au Bon Pain

Large Macaroni and Cheese Stew with Bread Bowl

1,120 calories

42 g fat (19 g saturated, 1 g trans)

3,070 mg sodium

157 g carbs

SODIUM EQUIVALENT: 22 small orders of McDonald's French Fries!

Whether it's made from a giant fried tortilla or a massive hunk of sourdough, if you r serving vessel is edible, you're asking for trouble. In this case, the bread bowl adds a belly-building 600 calories to what is already one of America's most decadent, over-the-top spoonables. If soup's your thing, you'll have a hard time keeping the sodium down no matter which bowl you order; good, old-fashioned tomato soup is as good as you'll do at Au Bon Pain.

Eat This Instead:

Medium Old Fashioned Tomato Soup

200 calories

7 g fat (3 g saturated)

1,150 mg sodium

27 g carbs

"MOST CALORIES" in a Sandwich

Quizno's

Large Tuna Melt Club with cheese and dressing

1,820 calories

147 g fat (27 g saturated, 1.5 g trans)

2,020 mg sodium

85 g carbs

CALORIC EQUIVALENT: 12 Taco Bell Fresco Style Beef Tacos

Tuna off the grill or straight from the can is perfectly healthy; tuna drowning in mayonnaise, blanketed in melted cheese, and slicked with oily dressing is decidedly not. Not only does this sandwich carry with it nearly an entire day's worth of calories and sodium, it also contains as much fat as 49 strips of bacon. In fact, it's so bad that it replaced Quizno's Classic Italian in our list of the 20 Worst Foods in America for 2009.

Eat This Instead:

Small Tuna Melt, no cheese, no dressing

500 calories

33 g fat (5 g saturated)

630 mg sodium

37 g carbs

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More from Men's Health:

The 20 Worst Foods in America

The Best Fast Food Meals Under 500 Calories

The Unhealthiest Salads