Not So Healthy Salad Ingredients

Salads are always a great idea especially when it comes to trying to lose weight, but there are a few  unhealthy ingredients that will sabotage your weight-loss efforts.

So the next time you grab a salad for lunch, try to avoid these six unhealthy ingredients.

Croutons

For that added crunch croutons do the trick, but unfortunately these tiny crispy bread pieces fall under empty calories making them non-nutritional. If you enjoy that added crunch in your salads we advise that you rather opt for roasted seeds or nuts and even a bell pepper.

Creamy Dressing 

Creamy salad dressings such as thousand island and honey and mustard, just to name a few are loaded with sugar and calories. According to latest studies two tablespoons of honey and mustard dressing comes to 139kcal. So if you are really craving that creaminess, rather add in an avo, hummus or even a sprinkle of feta cheese.

Fat- Free Dressings 

Fat- free doesn’t always mean the healthier option, these dressings are often loaded with salt and sugar to make them tastier. We suggest that you try out a more natural dressing, such as olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Dried Fruits 

If you are looking to add some sweetness to your salad, opt for fresh fruit over dried fruit instead. Dried fruits such as raisins or cranberries add unnecessary sugar to your meals, because when fruits are dehydrated they lose water and end up being energy-dense.

Processed Meat

Who does love crispy bacon bits in a salad, they make a salad a whole lot tastier, but the calories and sodium you get from them are not going to do you any good. Don’t get us wrong here, it is a great idea to top your salad with protein, but stick to nutritious choices such as grilled salmon, chicken breast or hard-boiled eggs.

Glazed or Salted Nuts 

Natural, nuts can be a wholesome addition to your salad, but you need to stay clear of those which are glazed with sugar. Nuts on their own are already pretty calorie-dense so you do not want to pile on extra calories when you simply don’t need to. We advise you to add almonds or walnuts when making a salad.

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