As for cocktails, stay away from mixers and juices. I almost always have a rum and diet coke. My new fave, though, is Absolut Pear and carbonated water/club soda. Both are figure friendly

For dining out, I always stay away from sauces and cheesy dishes and eat just about everything plain. I ask for steamed as opposed to cooked in oil unless I know what they use and how they do it (i.e. - olive oil is good for you, as long as it is used properly and in the right amounts). My friends always kid me because I get a turkey sandwich 99% of the time - no cheese, no mayo, no nothing except turkey, wheat bread, tomatoes and bell peppers. (I eat spinach on what I make at home, but have braces so I stay away from it in public

Grilled chicken breast will be my choice for an actual dinner. Just carefully read what it comes with, don't be shy to ask questions and be one of those people who modify everything. Think of what has sodium, fat, sugar, extra calories and try to leave those things out as much as you can and still enjoy it. For instance, I like tortilla soup, but I ask them to leave out the cheese and tortilla chips, and drink lots of water with it b/c of the sodium. I have a sweet tooth but eat a mint or something and then a piece of dark chocolate when I get home, and feel better about that!
Shana