I struggled yesterday while at the movies with my kids. I was a bit hungry and wondered what, if anything, I could get from the colorful concession counter that wouldn't derail my normally-healthy diet. Couldn't come up with anything. So I let my tummy grumble and waited until I was home where the food is guaranteed nutritious.

Glamour magazine shares in the February 2009 issue what's safe (well, safer) to eat while enjoying a big screen show. Topping the list in the candy department is Sour Patch Soft & Chewy Candy. Just more than three ounces will fill you with 375 calories and no fat. See why I went hungry? No thank you for that amount of calories. I'm not going for the big soft pretzel either, even though it's apparently a better option than many with 310 calories and four grams of fat. Next to the nachos and cheese and its over-the-top 894 calories, I see the draw. Still, I'll pass.

Love chocolate? Milk Duds are best, with 371 calories and 13.1 grams of fat. Holy fat. Hey, they're better than Peanut M&Ms, with 39.3 grams of fat. It's just a matter of perspective, I suppose. I mean, sure, a kid-sized butter popcorn with 20 grams of fat is far better than a large with 126 grams. But does better make these foods healthy? No. Which is why I'm packing a few ounces of nuts next time I cozy up in my theater chair to watch a courageous animated mouse save a princess from a life of doom and gloom.

For tips on how to stick to your diet in the most tempting of situations, check out this America Takes It Off article, which will even arm you with tactics for handling a relapse. Oh, and if you haven't yet weighed in with America Takes It Off this week, head over to this post and tell us if you've lost anything this week. Weigh-in deadline is noon today.

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Hungry at the ball game? Wave down that snack vendor and order peanuts in the shell. It's your healthiest option. The worst? Nachos with cheese. Tummy grumbling while you're stuck in the airport? Pizza, no pepperoni, is your best bet. There's protein in the cheese, and the tomato in the sauce counts as a veggie serving.

According to the Today Show and Real Simple magazine, a small bag of plain pretzels or whole wheat crackers with peanut butter from a vending machine are tops compared to any variety of chips or candy bars. Headed to the movies? Pick a child's size popcorn -- no butter -- and if you must have a sweet something, Junior Mints have less fat than most other sugary options. Two more tips: Avoid all "Jumbo" choices, and definitely don't opt for Milk Duds. A whole box will fill you with more than 500 calories.

Is a stop at a mall food court in your future? How about the mini-mart? Before you head to these locations, be sure to check out this article.

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For me, and for many I imagine, the holiday season is also movie season. It's one of the only times of the year when I take time off for myself, and taking in a show is a great way to enjoy my time off when it's cold outside. I'm a sucker for that movie popcorn, though. Even thinking about it makes me drool. Since I only seem to go to the movies once or twice a year, it's not a big deal for me to indulge, but if you're a regular movie-goer, you'll need to re-vamp your list of treats -- eating the popcorn every week can add up fast.

Here are some tips for eating well at the movies:

-Instead of a candy bar, go for Glossett Raisins. They have less calories and just as much flavour. Or, instead of chocolate, go for licorice. It has less fat. Or, go for those all-fruit gummy bears for an even healthier choice.
-Instead of regular chips, by some baked chips. Your theatre might not have them so bring a large purse or backpack and smuggle them in.
-Instead of movie popcorn, make your own at home. You can opt for the microwave variety, or make your own on the stove. Again, pack it in the big purse/backpack.
-If you need some sort of sweet drink, choose Gatorade over pop -- it has less sugar and more nutrients. Or, if you want to be even healthier, opt for water.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Smith isn't available right now. He's in theater class."

What???

Seriously. Doctors across the country, in growing numbers, are turning to acting classes to help them improve their bedside manners.

It's really not as bad as it sounds. The goal is not to teach doctors to "act" like they care more, but instead to give them some formal training on just how big of an impact body language, attentiveness, eye contact, and verbal cues can have on a person's perception.

Considering 'bedside manner' is such an important part of what makes a good doctor good, I think this is a great idea.

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