Sitting at the bar with friends having a cocktail or two and watching sports can make for a fun evening. The problem is that just a few drinks can add up to 500 or 600 calories. Order some food as well, and the calories can reach 1,500 to 2,000 in no time. The following should help people make better bar choices:

Onion rings vs. french fries vs. cheese fries

They're all high in calories. The onion rings and french fries each have about 500 calories for 6 ounces. Adding cheese to the fries increases the calories to more than 700. And when you're sitting at a bar, you're likely to be served more than 6 ounces -a basketful of fries or rings may have as many as 1,500 calories.

Pretzels vs. bar nuts vs. Asian rice crackers vs. Goldfish

Pretzels are the lowest-calorie choice: 1 ounce (about a handful) of Rold Gold pretzels has 110 calories.