Calorie counts

Consumers who have resolved to read food labels more carefully in 2009 will be happy to learn that "Eat This, Not That!" by David Zinczenko (editor in chief of Men's Health) with Matt Goulding (food and nutrition editor of Men's Health) has done some of the heavy lifting for you. The slender paperback offers thousands of choices, many in graphic form, organized by the way we live. Categories include "at your favorite restaurant" and "at the supermarket." Say you're at Panera, you should choose BBQ chicken "crispani" (380 calories) rather than Sierra turkey sandwich (840 calories). At Chipotle, chicken burrito bowl (489 calories) bests chicken burrito (1,092 calories). At the movies, Raisinets or Junior Mints are better choices than M&M's or Reese's Pieces. And more: burgers, doughnuts, pizza, stir-fries, wraps and other sandwiches, chips, cereals, frozen entrees. The authors have also written "Eat This, Not That for Kids!" "Eat This, Not That!" (Rodale, $19.95). Available at most bookstores.