Is this salad bad? See ingredients inside

Jeff92se
Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I don't track my calories that much so I'll ask:

Bed of romaine, teriyaki chicken (no skin), alot of dried cranberries and alot of pistachios. Dressing is the Kraft light asian toasted sesame.

Just in general. Decent salad? Waste of time? Other?

Replies

  • iwantahealthierme13
    iwantahealthierme13 Posts: 337 Member
    That sounds really good and healthy for upping protein but I'm no health food expert
  • kaleas
    kaleas Posts: 200
    Pistachios are high in calories, but i'd keep them and ditch the dressing, or make sure you're using just a tbsp to drizzle it on. I generally keep my salads with as many veggies as possible, no dressing, no meat, some fruit, and a bit of nuts. They add calories quickly.
  • christenwypy
    christenwypy Posts: 335 Member
    It does not sound bad at all to me. You could just input all that into MFP and see what it says for calories, fat, sugar, etc. But to me it sounds just fine.
  • bugnsamsmom
    bugnsamsmom Posts: 34 Member
    It does not sound bad at all to me. You could just input all that into MFP and see what it says for calories, fat, sugar, etc. But to me it sounds just fine.

    That's what I always do!
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    Usually it's a vinagerette dressing. And I'll add hard boiled eggs.

    I know the nuts add calories but it's hard to keep the salads interesting. I"m not a salad eater so I don't try THAT hard to keep them ultra low calorie. Just better than what I'd eat as an alternative.
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    Sounds perfect to me! I want some :D
  • Divagettinfitin2011
    Divagettinfitin2011 Posts: 500 Member
    Sounds good to me! I'm going to try this!!
  • LoveLivingHealthy
    LoveLivingHealthy Posts: 52
    i wouldnt have so many dried cranberries.. those are really bad for you and high in sugar... and like someone said drizzle the dressing on.. other than that it sounds good :)
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    Sometimes I'll cut up an apple for sweetness and fiber
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Sounds very good. Bacon may make it even better.
  • prism6
    prism6 Posts: 484 Member
    Everybody seems to be on a bacon kick!!!! Not that that is a bad thing :}
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    Sounds very good. Bacon may make it even better.

    Oh hell yeah.
  • davenportk83
    davenportk83 Posts: 44 Member
    I think the ingredients sound great but you really need to qualify what "alot" means:-) Just once measure it all. For me a 1/4 cup of nuts is a perfect serving.............for the hubby, not so much. He probably can eat 3/4 to a full cup just noshing.
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    i wouldnt have so many dried cranberries.. those are really bad for you and high in sugar... and like someone said drizzle the dressing on.. other than that it sounds good :)

    They are bad for you...? No. High in sugar, but nothing bad about them o.O

    They have an added bonus too ;)
  • PeaceCorpsKat
    PeaceCorpsKat Posts: 335 Member
    You might want to limit the amount of the add on's. Though I use an unlimited about of spinach or lettuce in a salad I really monitor how many cranberries and/or nuts.

    Nuts are great for you - with heart healthy fats, but, heart healthy fats and awful bad fats still have the same amount of calories. And keep in mind, nuts have a LOT of calories. So if weight loss is your goal control the amount of nuts you eat. I would also recommend trying pumpkin seeds, they are really healthy and thier odd flat shape is a great contrast in salads!!!

    Cranberries are also great, with lots of antioxidants. However, dried fruit has concentrated sugar. Though this sugar is really good in comparison to refined sugars, it still makes your blood sugar go up which can make you really hungry. So just limit how many you put on.

    And be careful with light dressings. Many of them contain chemicals to make them "light." Make sure it isn't loaded with sugar or salt.

    I would recommend the Pear Champagne Gorganzola from Trader Joes - it is surprising healthy and totally delicious - it would also go great with those ingrediants.
  • mrsnathanandrew
    mrsnathanandrew Posts: 631 Member
    Yum, I might have to try this! It sounds good to me!
  • flicka82
    flicka82 Posts: 25 Member
    i wouldnt have so many dried cranberries.. those are really bad for you and high in sugar... and like someone said drizzle the dressing on.. other than that it sounds good :)

    True. Dried cranberries are loaded with added sugar. Some all-natural fruit might be a better choice.
  • Eleisabelle
    Eleisabelle Posts: 365
    Mmm. Sounds good! You might consider a spring mix lettuce instead of just romaine, for a few of those darker greens (and hence more calcium and other great nutrients)--or even just add a little baby spinach.

    I personally would have a salad like this with almonds rather than pistachios. But yumm.
  • Eleisabelle
    Eleisabelle Posts: 365
    i wouldnt have so many dried cranberries.. those are really bad for you and high in sugar... and like someone said drizzle the dressing on.. other than that it sounds good :)

    True. Dried cranberries are loaded with added sugar. Some all-natural fruit might be a better choice.

    Sliced pear came to mind...
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    I think the ingredients sound great but you really need to qualify what "alot" means:-) Just once measure it all. For me a 1/4 cup of nuts is a perfect serving.............for the hubby, not so much. He probably can eat 3/4 to a full cup just noshing.

    Probably closer to a 3/4 - 1 cup of each. haha
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    Mmm. Sounds good! You might consider a spring mix lettuce instead of just romaine, for a few of those darker greens (and hence more calcium and other great nutrients)--or even just add a little baby spinach.

    I personally would have a salad like this with almonds rather than pistachios. But yumm.

    I've done this with lightly salted almonds before. It was great.
  • sma83
    sma83 Posts: 479 Member
    The dried cranberries are high is sugar so you may want to measure those out to only one serving. The nuts add a lot of fat, but at least its a good fat! The teriyakis chicken is higher in sodium than regular chicken so you may want to be aware of that as well. Overall though, you could do a lot worse chowing down on a bacon cheeseburger or something.
  • Lasirenn
    Lasirenn Posts: 50 Member
    It sounds mostly fine to me. I would ditch too many dried cranberries though and watch how many pistachios you eat. I think they're lower in fat than other nuts, but too many nuts can really sneak excess calories in. What I add in salads sometimes is a dried cranberry trailmix made by a brand called Ann's house. The mix contains dried cranberries, almonds and sunflower seeds. I sprinkle 1 serving (1/4 cup) into salads for flavor and crunch.
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    It sounds mostly fine to me. I would ditch too many dried cranberries though and watch how many pistachios you eat. I think they're lower in fat than other nuts, but too many nuts can really sneak excess calories in. What I add in salads sometimes is a dried cranberry trailmix made by a brand called Ann's house. The mix contains dried cranberries, almonds and sunflower seeds. I sprinkle 1 serving (1/4 cup) into salads for flavor and crunch.

    Yes from Costco right? I've done that too. Excellent.
  • Dtho5159
    Dtho5159 Posts: 1,054 Member
    Sounds super yummy!!
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    A salad without tomatoes makes me sad.
  • Lasirenn
    Lasirenn Posts: 50 Member
    It sounds mostly fine to me. I would ditch too many dried cranberries though and watch how many pistachios you eat. I think they're lower in fat than other nuts, but too many nuts can really sneak excess calories in. What I add in salads sometimes is a dried cranberry trailmix made by a brand called Ann's house. The mix contains dried cranberries, almonds and sunflower seeds. I sprinkle 1 serving (1/4 cup) into salads for flavor and crunch.

    Yes from Costco right? I've done that too. Excellent.

    I get mine from Walmart, but I'm sure Costco carries it too. I have to eat it in a salad, because I tend to overeat it by itself as a snack! I love salty/sweet snacks.
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    It sounds mostly fine to me. I would ditch too many dried cranberries though and watch how many pistachios you eat. I think they're lower in fat than other nuts, but too many nuts can really sneak excess calories in. What I add in salads sometimes is a dried cranberry trailmix made by a brand called Ann's house. The mix contains dried cranberries, almonds and sunflower seeds. I sprinkle 1 serving (1/4 cup) into salads for flavor and crunch.

    Yes from Costco right? I've done that too. Excellent.

    I get mine from Walmart, but I'm sure Costco carries it too. I have to eat it in a salad, because I tend to overeat it by itself as a snack! I love salty/sweet snacks.

    I'll eat them too as an alternative to chips. Expensive snack

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