Healthy Salads

scorrea2
scorrea2 Posts: 72 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I was reading somewhere online that a lot of restaruant salads are actually less healthy than other items on the menu. What are some healthy salads that I can order when I go out?

Replies

  • ValGogo
    ValGogo Posts: 2,168 Member
    Anything without candy in it, meaning craisins and sugared walnuts. Who thought THAT up?

    Look, use your noodle. If it has tons of cheese, bacon, and deli meats and croutons, it's probably gonna be high in calories and fats. And get dressing on the side unless it's california pizza kitchen. they mix the dresssing in it I think.
  • Confuzzled4ever
    Confuzzled4ever Posts: 2,860 Member
    common sense prevails.. if it's got fried chicken on it.. less healthy then ones with baked chicken on it. it its loaded with extras, (such as raisin, croutons, bacon, guac, oils, cheeses, deli meat, olives, etc.. ) then it's higher in calorie then those that are not. I've even seen some with candied nuts and fruit on it. (yuk!) Just read the description and pick one that fits into your goals. I went to Outback and my salad was more calories then the entire rest of my meal. I was pissed.

    ETA: ah yes. Dressing! I always get it on the side and dip my fork into it before spearing some salad. Or go without. Not all salads need dressing.
  • Elsie_Brownraisin
    Elsie_Brownraisin Posts: 786 Member
    I sometimes ask for the dressing on the side. I don't like salads drenched in it anyway and then I get to contol how much of it I eat.

    Sorry I can't be specific about where to eat.

    It depends on what you want - a caesar salad with proper dressing, crutons, anchovies and parmesan is going to be high in fat and salt, but very tasty! Things like falafels (if they have been fried) and avocado are good for you, but also high in fat.

    Asian-style things can be good, using things like lime juice, fish sauce, chillies and soy sauce for dressings instead of soured cream or eggs and things.
  • Four_Leaf_Clover
    Four_Leaf_Clover Posts: 332 Member
    The "core" of most salads are plenty healthy - veggies. It's the extras that usually make it high calorie (dressing, nuts, crunchy/fried toppings, excessive cheese, dried fruits, bread on the side). Sometimes it is also that the protein has been breaded and fried (crispy chicken) or there is simply just WAY too much of otherwise healthy things (corn, black beans, avocado - all healthy but if you eat a cup of each on top of some lettuce along with load of other things - the calories are going to add up fast).

    I like a grilled chicken salad - typically a garden salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, peppers, maybe carrots or onion) with grilled chicken on top. Ask for most other toppings to be omitted or on the side. Dip your fork in the dressing before you pick up a bite - it gives lots of flavor and you use just a tiny bit.

    You can often order a side salad (usually a plain garden salad) and ask them to top it with the protein of your choice - chicken, steak, shrimp, etc.

    ETA - many salads are still going to be healthy in terms of providing decent nutrition, they just may be A LOT more calories than you would expect for a "salad" - and you may have been able to have a burger for the same calories.

    What types of places do you like to eat?

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