Alcohol calories can really add up, as each gram of alcohol contains 7 calories, which is more than the 4 calories per gram in carbohydrates and protein but less than the 9 calories per gram in fat.

Pinto beans, commonly used either whole in salads, soups and stews or prepared as refried beans in many Mexican dishes, are an excellent source of protein that are high in fiber, yet low in fat. The beans are soaked for several hours and then boiled, with the liquids drained and discarded before serving.

Most people know that hamburgers aren't particularly low in calories, but if you load them with toppings or supersize your burger you'll get a meal's worth of calories from the burger alone. If you complete your meal with a large order of fries and an extra-large soda, you could use up your day's calorie allotment.

Snow crabs are one of the more environmentally friendly seafood choices, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. These crabs also provide a number of essential nutrients, including selenium, copper, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, niacin, riboflavin and vitamins B-12 and C.

You may think carrot cake is healthy since it contains a vegetable, but this dessert is usually loaded with oil, butter, cream cheese and sugar, as well as carrots, making it hard to fit into a low-calorie diet.

Creamy, spicy red curry sauce is a staple of Thai cuisine, and you'll often find it mixed with vegetables, fish or tofu and served atop a steaming bed of rice. While red curry sauce is healthy in moderate portions, it can be high in fat and calories thanks to the addition of coconut milk.

Pot roast is typically made by browning and then slowly simmering a cut of beef with a mix of vegetables and spices in liquid. The result tends to be high in calories in part because of the large serving sizes.

Sugar doughnuts are deep-fried in oil, making them rich in calories. Nearly half of the calories come from fat, and most of the rest come from refined carbohydrates.

“Torta” is a Spanish word that translates literally to “cake,” although a torta can be anything from a flatbread to a wedding cake to a sandwich, depending on the region in which it’s found.

From the name, you might think that spinach dip is a healthy, low-calorie choice. Take a close look at the ingredients list, however, and you'll realize this dip can pack a lot of calories.

A perfectly ripe peach can be juicier and sweeter than the world's best dessert. This can make it hard to believe that this delectable fruit is both low in calories and high in nutrients -- but it is. The calorie content makes it a perfect choice as a small snack or a sweet topping on yogurt.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) created the Food Guide Pyramid over 15 years ago. The current dietary guidelines still emphasize the importance of controlling weight and continue to stress the importance of physical activity.