Salads can be perfect for healthy dieting, and they are great for summer, because they are usually light and don't make you feel bloated.
At the same time, some additional ingredients can make them way higher in calories than you might think.
Here are a few examples.
High-Fat Dressings
Creamy dressings like ranch, blue cheese, or Caesar dressing tend to be high in calories due to their base of mayonnaise, sour cream, or cheese.
These dressings can contain a significant amount of fat and calories, so using them sparingly or opting for lighter alternatives can help reduce the calorie content of your salad.
Cheese
While cheese can add flavor and texture to salads, it can also be high in calories.
Cheeses like feta, cheddar, or blue cheese are relatively high in fat and calories.
Nuts and Seeds
Adding nuts and seeds to salads can provide a crunchy texture and a dose of healthy fats.
However, these ingredients are calorie-dense.
For example, a small handful of walnuts or sunflower seeds can significantly increase the calorie content of your salad.
Fried or Breaded Ingredients
Crispy fried toppings such as croutons, fried chicken strips, or breaded cheese can add a lot of calories to salads.
These items are often high in unhealthy fats and can significantly increase the calorie content.
