Salads can be a great option when trying to lose weight, but it can quickly become a disaster for even the best weight loss plan if you make the 5 mistakes below.

Mistake #1 – Selecting iceberg lettuce.

Iceberg lettuce is one of the most common forms of lettuce you’ll find on a salad bar. Think of iceberg lettuce as crunchy water providing minimal nutrients. Select dark green, leafy lettuce varieties, such as romaine and endive.

Mistake #2 – Skimping on fresh vegetables.

Pile on fresh vegetables, such as peppers, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, and mushrooms. Fresh vegetables are low in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals.

Mistake #3 – Loading up on salad toppings.

Salad toppings, such as croutons, sesame noodles, and bacon bits should be used sparingly. They are low in nutrients and high in calories.

Mistake #4 – Selecting a high fat, high calorie salad dressing.

You don’t want to ruin a nutritious salad with a poor dressing choice. Opt for vinegar based salad dressings or low fat/calorie salad dressing and use sparingly. Tip: Dip your fork in a small cup of salad dressing before every bite instead of pouring the dressing on your salad.

Mistake #5 – Making too many trips to the salad bar.

Just because the salad bar may include unlimited trips doesn’t mean you have to go back multiple times. Decide in advance how many trips you’ll make and stick with your plan. Even though a well-balanced salad is a healthy choice, too much of a good thing can quickly turn bad!

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Heart Healthy Tips