How to Avoid Overeating at Shopping Malls - as part of the nutrition series by GeoBeats. First of all, do not go shopping hungry. Leave the house with a nice balanced meal under your belt, whether that is breakfast or lunch. If you are going late in the afternoon, have a snack, perhaps an apple with peanut butter, crackers and low-fat cheese, so that you do not walk into the mall hungry. The nice thing about going to the mall in the holidays is it is your opportunity to walk. Take the longest route to your favorite store and give yourself the opportunity to walk through the mall and just enjoy the music and the hustle and bustle of the holiday spirit. Another tip is pre-plan before you go what you are actually going to treat yourself to. Is it going to be that light eggnog latte at the coffee shop? Is it going to be that sample of chocolate at the chocolate shop? But do not go without a plan, overly hungry, because then you are going to be tempted by everything, the samples that are out at the chocolate shop, the treats, and so, have a plan, increase your opportunities to walk, treat yourself to one thing that you have thought about and you really want, and enjoy it.