Stop! Is That Salad Really Going to Help You Lose Weight?

 Stop! Is That Salad Really Going to Help You Lose Weight?

One of the first foods that people think about when trying to lose weight is the salad.  Everywhere you go, you see people piling it up at the salad bar or ordering a salad from the menu.  After all, it contains lots of veggies and other stuff that is good for you, so obviously, it is a great choice.  Right?  Well, that depends on the salad.

Keto diet 

The idea of a having a salad is to lower your caloric intake, but many of the so-called salads served at popular dining establishments contain so many fat and calories that you would do better to order the half pound cheeseburger and fries.  In some cases, the burger and fries may even contain fewer calories than the supposedly healthy salad.

The word “salad” can be extremely deceptive.  When most people think of salads, they imagine something healthy, but take just a moment to examine the whole “salad” phenomenon.  Some things that are marketed as salads are as far from healthy as possible.  Consider how the perfectly healthy-for-you tuna is often transformed into a fat laden concoction known as tuna salad.

Combined Keto 

Now, you may be saying to yourself that everyone knows that salads such as tuna “salad” and chicken “salad” are not necessarily the healthiest fare.  So why do certain restaurant chains slap these concoctions on whole grain buns and include them on their “Market Fresh” menus?  

You would be surprised how many people fall for this.  

Do not be fooled by these deceptive marketing practices, or you may find yourself piling on more weight than you take off.

Even if you know better than to succumb to such practices, do you REALLY know how many calories that salad you ordered contains?  

Sure, it includes lots of fresh greens and hearty vegetables, but what about the add-ons?

You know – what about all the fatty meats, cheeses, nuts, and other extras?

Not to mention that flavorful creamy dressing that makes it all taste wonderfully delectable.  Before it is done, you have a salad that contains well over a thousand calories.  How is that for derailing your weight loss goals?

Take heart, though, not all is lost.  The key to making sure that your salad adheres to your weight loss plan is monitoring what goes into your salad.  When selecting a salad, make certain that it contains lots of vegetables, and go easy on the meats, cheeses, nuts and other extras.  Avoid creamy salad dressings as they are most often full of hidden fats and calories. And ask that your salad dressing be put in a separate container when dining out.  This way you have control of the portion.

Just because you exclude all the extras does not mean that your salad has to be boring.  Adding some chick peas or edamame to add texture and loads of filling fiber.  Throw in some spices to get the flavor you may be missing by omitting the extras. 

For example, Italian herbs and other spices boost flavor and add interest as well. 

Remember, the next time you reach for a salad, be sure to ask yourself first if that salad is really going to help you lose weight.