Food-court press Tips for staying trim when eating at the mall.

Byline: Beth Cooney

Nov. 28--If your holiday plans include a day of power shopping at the mall, chances are you'll be hitting the food court to refuel. Marlene Galligan, a public relations ambassador for Weight Watchers, thinks such a pit stop is a good idea. "A quick bite when you want to take a break is a good thing if you're watching your weight," says Galligan. "The worst thing anyone can do when they're dieting is get too hungry." Still, Galligan says a typical shopping destination's food offerings include tempting treats that are dietary sabotage: thick-crust pizzas, fried entrees, full-fat ice cream, and oversized cookies and pretzels. "I used to be the kind of eater who might grab a cookie in the food court and say, 'This will hold me over until I stop for a real meal,' " says Galligan, who lost 40 pounds on Weight Watchers years ago and kept it off. "Little did I know that cookie had more calories than the lunch I might have had if I had taken the time to stop." Galligan met us recently at the Stamford Town Center to help…