Steakhouses are not known for serving "health" food, but there are a few tricks that help you navigate the menu.

Bread and butter can add 400 to 500 calories. Limit yourself to one slice, or have the basket removed from the table. Ask for a plate of vegetables to munch on instead.

Appetizers like batter-dipped, deep-fried onions, such as Outback's Bloomin' Onion, have about 1,700 calories and 116 grams of fat! Sauteed mushrooms or crab cakes can pack on more than 200 calories per serving — and that's without any sauces. French onion soup or lobster bisque? Either one delivers more than 500 calories per serving. Avoid anything fried, creamy or served with a sauce, and look for "broiled" or "steamed." If you're not sure how it's prepared — ask.

Oysters on the half shell have only about 10 calories per oyster, shrimp cocktail about 22 calories per shrimp, including the sauce or try a broth-based (not cream) soup. Try fat-free or low-fat dressing, and avoid high-calorie add-ons like cheese or croutons.

STEAK

While beef is high in saturated (unhealthy) fat, it's a good source of protein, iron and other nutrients. But did you know that Outback prepares its steak (as well as Chicken or Shrimp on the Barbie) with butter? Or that Ruth's Chris adds butter to the plate to create a sizzle when served? Many steakhouses are willing to make them without added butter or oil if you ask.