The Best Choice Isn't Always Obvious...

With the Chinese New Year here, the year of the DRAGON,  I know I have plans to celebrate!  Even some healthy-sounding options can set you back 1,000+ calories. Here’s how to make some waistline-conscious choices. *The following calorie counts are per dish, not per serving, and are approximate because recipes and serving sizes vary from restaurant to restaurant.

Don't Order: Chicken with Black Bean Sauce

There are 800 calories per order—not bad if you split it, but you can do better: It has more sodium (about 4,000 milligrams) than most others.

Order This:  Chicken with Snow Peas

Request that the dish be stir-fried in as little oil as possible and you can keep the calories to a respectable 400. The sodium, while still high, also drops to less than 1,600 milligrams.

Don't Order:  Szechuan Shrimp

Stir-fried shrimp and vegetables in a spicy sauce seems like a guilt- free pick, but the sauce is often oily, meaning your order racks up around 700 calories.

Oder This: Shrimp with Lobster Sauce

You get the same lean, high-protein shellfish—but topped with a broth- or wine-based sauce—for 450 calories. Ask the restaurant to add snow peas or broccoli for an extra hit of vitamins.

I love going to a Chinese restaurant where you can build your own stir-fry.  I pile up the veggies and ask to have them steamed instead of stir-fried.  I get the sauce and brown rice on the side and have a delicious meal!