When many of us think about salads, we automatically associate them with healthy meal options. Consisting of mainly leafy greens, salads are thought to be one of the healthiest meals that you can eat. While this can be true — salads are indeed packed full of goodness and they can be very low in calories — there are a few ingredients that can turn salads into a very unhealthy dinner idea for you and your family. You may even be shocked to learn that you would actually be better off eating a bacon cheeseburger than some of the salads that you can purchase!
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| Is Your Salad Unhealthy |
When it comes to salads that can be diet-busters, what you should watch out for are what toppings and dressings are included. These are what generally are packed full of fat and calories. Here, we’ll tell you about about the top 5 ingredients that cause a salad to become unhealthy.
#1. Dressings
Dressings are definitely one of the worst contenders. While a little bit of oil and vinegar never hurt anyone, the creamier dressings can contain a variety of bad fats. They also contain a lot of sugar, artificial flavorings and preservatives. Shockingly, dressing can add an additional 600 calories to your salad, depending upon how large it is and how much you put on! Many of us don’t realize how detrimental to our diets these dressings can be; even the ones that claim to be low fat can be loaded with calories. Caesar, Ranch, Bleu Cheese and Thousand Island dressings tend to be some of the worst culprits.
But, it is possible to create your own low fat and delicious dressings. You can create a very simple dressing using lemon, garlic and olive oil. Another quick and simple recipe is to mix Dijon mustard with balsamic vinegar. Both of these options are fantastic and will not cause you to pile on the pounds!
One final thing to be wary of are mayonnaise-based dressings. These can be extremely fatty, so check the labels for dressings containing mayonnaise.
#2. Croutons and Bacon Bits
These are two very popular salad toppings and they are also unfortunately unhealthy for you. When you are piling on the croutons, remember that only half a cup contains around 100 calories. This could be higher depending upon the type that you purchase. Bacon bits are even worse. If you add them just because you like a bit of a crunch to your salad then consider switching to walnuts or flaxseeds instead. Not only do they have less calories and fat, but they also have more nutritional value. You can add any raw nuts that you have available as a substitute.
#3. Cheese
While it’s okay to add a bit of cheese to flavor your salad, and give it more protein and calcium, too much cheese will just make you pile on the pounds. Again, substitute different types of cheeses to make the salad healthier. Using feta (or Greek cheese) and Parmesan will give you a strong flavor without adding too many calories. Many processed cheeses tend to be packed full of salt, artificial colorings and flavorings.
#4. Meats
If you love to add meats to your salad then you’re not alone! They are one of the most popular salad toppings and in many cases they can be healthy. However, this all depends upon what type of meat you include and how it has been cooked. Salami and ham are two of the main meats that may not be the most nutritious options. Breaded meats in particular are bad for you, since they have often been fried. Many meats are packed full of preservatives and saturated fats, so if you want to add a little meat to your salad, aim for something grilled like skinless and boneless chicken pieces.
#5. Other Condiments
As well as salad dressings, many people love to add various condiments to their meal. These include prepackaged sauces, coleslaws and creamy potato salad. Adding condiments will simply add additional calories and fat so they should be voided or eaten in moderation.
These are five ingredients that can turn a healthy salad in to a very unhealthy one! Salads that you order in a restaurant or that you buy in the store can be more difficult to monitor than those you make yourself. So, when you create a salad yourself and your family, keep these tips in mind.
The main thing that you have to focus on is adding as many vegetables as possible. You can liven up a dull salad by adding fruit and homemade dressing. Also making use of low fat cheeses and try to just use a little bit of dressing on the side of your plate, rather than coating your salad in it. That way you can use it a little at a time and consume fewer calories.
Overall salads can be really healthy and they can have a lot of nutritional benefits. However you have to be aware that some salads are extremely bad for the health. By following the above tips you can enjoy healthy, delicious salads.
