St. Fatty’s Day

You want to revel in all of the traditional Irish food and drink on offer around Tuesday 17. But you don’t want to wake up feeling more bloated than a drunken leprechaun. Not to worry: “All food can fit into a healthy diet,” says Toby Smithson, a registered dietitian with the Lake County Health Department and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. “Just make sure that the rest of your meals that day are low in fat and calories.” (So, no green beer until after breakfast!) Smithson pored over the menu of Mrs. Murphy’s and Sons (3905 N Lincoln Ave, 773-248-3905, irishbistro.com), one of our Eat Out team’s favorite spots for traditional Irish grub—for some nutritionist-approved St. Pat’s Day picks.

Instead of the corned beef and cabbage, order the beef and Guinness stew (pictured, bottom)
The beef in both dishes provides satiating protein, but the corned beef and cabbage entrée, served with a potato cake, is sky-high in sodium and clocks in at about 800 calories. With an order of Guinness stew, you’ll get slow-to-digest fiber from the veggies and slash about 200 calories.

Instead of fish-and-chips, order shepherd’s pie
Fish is a lean protein, but not when it’s battered and fried in oil. You’re looking at a plateful of about 900 calories. Equally delicious, but with about a third less fat and 200 fewer calories, is a typical portion of shepherd’s pie. The restaurant dishes out huge servings, so dig in with a friend.

BONUS TIP: A 12-oz pint of Guinness only has 125 calories!

• More Spas & Gyms articles