When most people see salad they automatically think that it’s healthy. We are here to inform you that all salads are not healthy salads. Naturally, lettuce is extremely low in calories (only 6 calories per cup) and provide you with a healthy serving of vegetables. So right off the bat salad is healthy; so where exactly does it go wrong? The toppings. The amount of toppings you put on your salad can determine if it’s healthy or not.
Mainstream restaurants always have a “Salad” portion of the menu. These so called healthy salads are what we like to call Calorie Traps. A Calorie Trap is a meal that appears to be healthy but actually contains more calories than it’s unhealthy counter part.
Chili’s restaurants offers many different salads that sound delicious, for example the Boneless Buffalo Chicken Salad. Something the average restaurant customer may not know is that this particular salad has: 1,070 calories 77 grams fat and 4,380 mg sodium. In comparison the Chili’s Old Time Burger has 800 calories and 1,660 mg sodium. Healthy? Yeah right.
So how do you avoid these Calorie Traps in restaurants or even in your own kitchen? Here are some rules for healthier salad.
1. BEWARE OF TOO MANY TOPPINGS:
Don’t buy/make a salad with more than three toppings. One of the toppings should include some form of vegetables.
2. Ask for low calorie non-fat salad dressing:
A majority of the calories packed into a salad are there because of fatty sodium filled salad dressing. If the restaurant does not have healthy salad dressing options ask for the dressing on the side so you can regulate how much goes on your salad. Also stay away from creamy salad dressing; go for a balsamic vinaigrette.
3. Say NO to cheese:
There are 381 calories in 1 Cup of shredded american cheese. Unless there is a low fat option for cheese, forget about it.
4. Low Calorie Protein:
Always pick a source of protein that is low in sodium and calories. So swap fried chicken poppers and bacon bits for skinless grilled chicken or nuts like almonds and walnuts.
5. Don’t get distracted:
Just because you were good and ordered a salad does not mean you should double up on the bread basket or order a desert with a million grams of sugar. If they put a bread basket down in front of you for your salad; send it back.
Do you have a favorite salad recipe? Let us know! Leave a comment below or on Facebook/Twitter!
Have a great weekend ladies and gents! Stay Well&Chic!
Well&Chic. 