When people think about eating healthy many think of salads. Salads can be an excellent way to do just that, however there are some salad sabotages you should limit or avoid. Some of the biggest offenders on the salad bar include cheese, processed meats and salad dressings.
Awhile back manufacturers started offering fat-free salad dressings to encourage people to eat more salad. But, when it comes to these it is critical to read the label. Believe it or not, many fat free dressings have just as many if not more calories than their light or full fat counterpart. So, what is the solution?
Making your own dressings is more likely to be better than store-bought brands. Of course, we know vinaigrettes are a healthier choice because typically there is a lot more vinegar in the dressing compared to the amount of oil. Try using fresh herbs and spices instead of salt and sugar to enhance the flavor of vinaigrettes. If you are a fan of creamy salad dressings use fat-free, no sugar added Greek yogurt as the base of the dressing.
Eating salad is a great way to increase consumption of healthy foods, but be mindful of those unhealthy salad sabotages that wreak havoc on your diet.
By: Molly McBrayer, Clinical Manager, Roper St. Francis Bariatric and Metabolic Services
