It is Shocking How Many Calories Some Salads Contain!

Certain salads are not healthier options on a menu. I know of a Cobb salad at an unnamed restaurant that contains a whopping 1200 calories and 90 grams of fat!!! This is more fat than what’s found in the restaurant’s hamburger and fries!!! A meal-sized chicken Caesar salad is often 800+ calories and it contains over 60 grams of fat!!!

Not all salads are unhealthy and fattening. When packed with fresh veggies and healthy, lean protein sources they are low in calories and a great tasting and filling meal. You just have to know which toppings to either stay completely away from or to minimize.

Here are 3 fat filled salad toppings to stay away from and what you can replace them with:

1) Creamy Salad Dressings contain almost 100 calories per tablespoon and almost all of the calories come from fat! Try making your own salad dressing by combining balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, a little honey, pepper and a few drops of oil. Vinaigrette dressings are delicious!
2) Cheese, adding a couple of slices of cheddar cheese to your salad can add 250+ calories and ~20 grams of fat to it! Replace cheese with avocado. The fat in avocado is a healthy, natural fat so it helps keep you feeling full for longer. Avocados are full of vitamins and nutrients as well.
3) Bacon contains ~100 calories per 2 slices and it’s filled with unhealthy fat! A chicken breast or beans is a great protein source for your salad. This type of healthier protein will help keep you feeling fuller for longer too!

To Sum it Up…

Salads can be a very healthy and filling meal. You just have to pack them with a variety of veggies, stick to a lower fat vinaigrette dressing and fill them with lean and healthy protein sources. Please share in the comments section, any tips that you have to make your salads healthier and lower in fat.