How healthy is your salad? Did you ever think that a salad could have more calories and unhealthy fats than a serving of fried chicken?
Most people believe they're making a smart diet choice by opting for a salad, but end up sabotaging their weight loss goals.
Don't get me wrong - salads are a great way to get your recommended daily allowance of fruits and veggies and are often full of nutritious goodness. Made with the right foods they can also be a great meal for those seeking to lose some weight.
Next time you inspect the salad bar or your refrigerator for ingredients to toss in your salad, keep the following tips in mind.
Fruits and Vegetables
Leafy greens and veggies should be the base of your salad. Choose as many vegetables as you would like. Choose from mixed greens, broccoli, sugar snap peas, spinach, cucumbers, onions, peppers, cauliflower, mushrooms, green beans, zucchini, shredded carrots, radish, sprouts, cabbage, beets, tomatoes, and whatever veggie you can think to add. At only 25 calories per serving, vegetables are loaded with vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. So the more veggies, the better!
In addition to all your other veggies, go with the darkest green lettuce you can find. Choose Romaine, spinach, mustard leaves, or green leaf over iceberg for increased nutrition. Leafy greens come in at less than 20 calories per two cup serving and provide folic acid, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Fruit is also a great salad option, as they add sweetness and nutrition to your salad. Try fruit such as cranberries, grapes, sliced strawberries, tangerines, or apples, and watch your plain old salad transform into a piece of culinary art.
Protein
If you find yourself feeling hungry soon after eating a salad, add some protein the next time. Good sources of protein to toss in a healthy salad include hard-boiled eggs or just the egg whites, grilled chicken, grilled salmon, steamed or boiled shrimp, tuna packed in water, low-fat cottage cheese, or roasted turkey breast. A good serving size of this protein would be three ounces.
If meat or animal products aren't your thing, add about three quarters cup of one or more of these protein sources to your salad: lentils, tofu, black beans, garbanzo beans, chickpeas, or a small amount of nuts (they're also high in fat, so don't over-do them).
Extras – Do's and Don’ts
Tempting as it may be, avoid adding fried, crispy, or saucy items to salads.
Though many salad extras may be packed with nutrition, they are often also full of calories. On average, extras add approximately 600 calories to an otherwise low-fat salad. A good rule of thumb when it comes to preparing a light salad is to choose just one high-calorie extra or two half-portion extras. Popular high-calorie add-ons include fried noodles, cottage cheese, pepperoni, avocado, bacon, blue cheese, croutons, cheese, or nuts.
If you love the taste and texture of croutons, try crushing a few and sprinkling them over your salad. If your salad doesn't seem complete without cheese, try a strong flavored cheese like Feta or Parmesan. A small amount will go far. Also, use chopped nuts instead of whole to get more bites of a good thing.
Dressing
Dressing often makes the salad. Unfortunately, it can also make a salad a high-calorie event. The average vinaigrette contains 50 calories in one tablespoon, while the same amount of ranch dressing contains about 90 calories. Plastic containers or dressing packets at restaurants contain four tablespoons of dressing. The entire packet adds an additional 200-360 calories. As if that weren't enough, many dressings also contain saturated fat. This raises cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.
Instead of grabbing the first dressing you see, look for a low-fat, low-calorie option. A healthy dressing choice is a couple teaspoons of olive oil mixed with vinegar or lemon and spices or herbs. Instead of drenching your salad in dressing, dip your fork into dressing before taking a bite of salad.
Skinny Salad Dressing
Most of the fat and calories in salads are in the dressing. Mix the following ingredients together for a guilt-free, healthy and delicious salad dressing:
1 cup fat free Greek Yogurt
3 Tablespoons white rice vinegar
1 shallot, minced
2 Packets Stevia
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon basil
1 clove garlic pressed
1 tsp. sea salt
A dash of ground black pepper
Garden Fresh Salad
The best salads are a cornucopia of fresh vegetables, with little or no added fat. This salad combines some of the garden's tastiest veggies and is dressed lightly with no added oils. Serve with a side of lean protein for a healthy, vibrant meal.
Servings: 4
Here's what you need...
4 eggs
1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed
1 cup curly endive
1 cup dandelion greens
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/8 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced into matchsticks
Place the eggs in a pan of water; bring to a simmer for 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Crack the eggs all over, and then place in a pan of cold water for one minute. Remove from water, peel, and slice. Set aside.
Bring a medium pot of salted water to boil. Add the asparagus and cook for 4 minutes. Rinse in cold water then set aside.
In a large salad bowl combine the endive, dandelion greens, tomato, onion and pepper.
Prepare the vinaigrette recipe that follows.
Garden Fresh Raspberry Lime Vinaigrette
1 packet Stevia
2 Tablespoons lime juice
1 garlic clove, minced
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 Tablespoon raspberry vinegar
In a small bowl combine the Stevia, lime juice, garlic, Dijon and vinegar. Mix well. Coat the salad with the dressing.
Top each Garden Fresh Salad with asparagus and a sliced egg and enjoy!
Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 119 calories, 5.5 fat, 137mg sodium, 9g carbohydrates, 2g fiber, and 8g protein.
Remember, eating healthy is half of the battle when it comes to fitness and wellness. The other equally important side is maintaining a regular, challenging exercise program. For an exercise program to be challenging it must always be changing. That's why my workouts are never the same.
Justin Bowers is a certified, fully insured personal trainer and fitness professional. He trains his clients in their own homes and offices in South Carolina. To learn more, visit: http://www.befitonline.com/
For more great articles, recipes and more, join us on the journey to a happy, healthier you at http://journeytonatliv.com.
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