Steer Clear: Cream of Mushroom Soup
Cream of anything is like a big sign saying "high fat" -- here, about 12 grams and 191 calories per cup. Start your meal with a filling, low-fat soup instead. Go for broth- and tomato-based soups (gazpacho's especially great at less than half a gram of fat and just 46 calories per cup).

Think Twice: Garden Salad With House Dressing
"You think you're being virtuous eating a salad, but the fat in the dressing can add up very quickly," says Hope Warshaw, author of Eat Out, Eat Right. House dressings are often creamy, so ask for a low-fat dressing — and whatever you order, get it on the side.

Steer Clear: Crispy Potatoes
"Golden brown and crispy are telltale words for fried," says Warshaw. Don't be surprised when the "potatoes" you ordered end up looking (and tasting) suspiciously like French fries. Ask your waiter to clarify if you're confused about a description.

Burgers and Sandwiches

Steer Clear: Hamburger With Special Sauce
What makes a sauce so "special"? Usually it's mayonnaise. A house sauce is typically loaded with fat: Mayonnaise has a whopping 11 grams per tablespoon. Ask that your burger be topped with only ketchup -- a tablespoon has less than 1 gram of fat.

Dig In: Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Grilled is good! The preparation adds minimal fat without sacrificing flavor. Just watch out for the toppings: Add-ons like bacon and cheese can turn a healthy sandwich into a high-fat affair.

Steer Clear: Tuna Salad Sandwich
"Salad" doesn't always mean healthy. When the term is used with chicken, tuna or seafood, it often means it's loaded with mayo. That "good-for-you" tuna sandwich can actually run you about 830 calories at some sandwich shops.

Next page: Entrees and desserts to watch out for -- and to dig into