Italian restaurants offer some delicious choices for people who are mindful of their daily food.
"Order pasta with marinara sauce instead of the white creamy sauces or Alfredo sauce," said Moore, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.
Not interested in marinara sauce? Moore told WebMD: "Choose chicken cacciatore or thin-cut steak, grilled meat or fish, baked pasta with tomato sauce, or polenta and mushrooms."
As for Italian foods to avoid, "Avoid pasta with cheese or meat fillings and pasta topped with cheese." But what about cheese-laden foods like pizza?
"For an easily eaten food, portion control is key, so you can have one or two small slices with a salad," advises Elaine Magee, a 'recipe doctor' for the WebMD Weight Loss Clinic. "Choose thin-crust pizza and load it with veggies instead of meat. Add extra sauce—and go half the cheese."
There are many very delicious food choices on the menu of a Western restaurant, but which choice will not make you gain weight?
Moore suggests: "Gazpacho, black bean soup, or dishes with pork simmered in adobo sauce with vegetables and tomatillos, etc., have less fat, as does boneless chicken rice."
Generally, when eating in a Southern border region, Moore advises: "Use salsa instead of sour cream or creamy sauces. Choose dishes made with soft, non-fried corn tortillas, such as soft tacos or enchiladas. Opt for grilled main courses; corn tortillas and Mexican rice are good choices."