It is easy to get frustrated while skimming the menus at restaurants because it seems near impossible to find something that is tasty and healthy at the same time. Of course, you would love to devour a plate of chicken fettuccini, or bite into a big, juicy burger, but that most likely is not on your diet. You remember that you have really been trying to eat better and exercise to become healthier. So, instead you chose to go the healthier route; you order a well-balanced salad. There you are sitting in your booth, proud of the fact that you have just chosen a salad over all the fried dishes that looked so appetizing. The question is, once you add the dressing and bacon, is this sacrifice really worth it? Are you defeating your own efforts by what you are eating on your salad? There are many ways to turn a healthy salad into a calorie filled meal. Here are a few tips to remember when ordering, that will keep your salad healthy!
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Limit your salad dressing! Salad dressings vary widely in calories and fat. Ranch dressing contains approx 148 calories per 2 tbs and packs 15 grams of fat. Whereas Balsamic Vinaigrette has more than half the amount of calories!
·Order your dressing on the side. It's easy to mistake how much dressing you use when pouring it directly on your salad.
·Dipping your fork into the dressing before taking a bite, will give you the same great taste and help you control serving size.
·Bring your own low-fat dressing from home. I recommend Newman's Own Lighten up Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing; it contains 35 calories per serving and only 1.5 grams of fat.
·Hold the Cheese! Many salads include blue cheese, feta cheese, or gorgonzola cheese, which are loaded with extra calories and fat.
·Avoid additions to your salad such as croutons, chopped eggs, and bacon which in excess add extra, unneeded calories and fat.
