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Stir-fry won't derail your diet

Sure, it'll cost you more in the calorie department—a main-dish veggie stir-fry is about 370 calories per serving versus around 140 for its steamed counterpart—but the pay-off in flavor may be worth it. "Steamed vegetables are the best option, but stir-fried is OK too, as long as a minimal amount of oil is used," says Ming Tsai, chef and owner of Blue Ginger in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and host of Simply Ming on PBS.

Plus, you'll get the added health benefits of ginger, an anti-inflammatory, and garlic, which is loaded with antioxidants. As for that "minimal amount," just ask them to use as little oil as possible.

Next: The lightest lo mein isn't always veggie