That's Fit

It's such a simple idea for a book, yet it's still absolutely brilliant. By pitting one food against another, Men's Health has taken Eat This, Not That, a recurring sidebar entry from its magazine, and turned it into a national bestselling book. I know it's been covered here before on That's Fit, but I think some of the takeaway lessons from this book bear repeating.

Here are just a five examples, taken from the book, of ways to save on calories even while eating at notoriously unhealthy chains.

1. AT KRISPY KREME, ordering the Very Berry Chiller instead of the Mocha Dream Chiller will save 500 calories. (Do that once a week and you'll drop more than 7 pounds this year)

2. AT CHIPOTLE, save 498 calories by ordering your Chicken Burrito as a bowl (without the tortilla) and asking them to hold the rice. (you'll also eat 83 fewer carbs)

3. AT COLD STONE CREAMERY, cut 40 calories and 2 grams of fat by choosing shaved chocolate, not chocolate chips, as your topping. (If you're going to indulge, there's still no need to tack on extra calories and fat simply for the sake of it).

4. AT McDONALD'S, containing only 300 calories, an Egg McMuffin is actually a reasonably healthy choice. (The Hotcakes, by contrast, pack more than double that amount!)

5. AT CHICK-FIL-A, not a single sandwich tops 500 calories. (When it comes to fast food, this bird might be the healthiest option there is).