Every popular diet endorses Salads with the reasoning that vegetables are healthy, full of fibre, good for you, detoxing, and low calorie! Sure, all of that is true but it is important to note that salads are often hidden with ingredients that don’t support weight loss goals. Here are 4 things to keep in mind when making salads.

1.   Stay away from the crunch

Whether its croutons, tacos, chips, or tortilla strips crunchy items don’t belong in a weight loss salad. They are deep fried (usually in poor quality fats), high in carbohydrates and sometimes contain sugar, and they defeat the purpose! Replace them with raw carrots, pumpkin seeds or walnuts.

 

2.   Salad Dressings

The sweet and creamy ones like Ranch, Caesar, Honey Dijon etc. are usually the most popular, but they are very high in sugar, sodium and bad fats. I never recommend the Low-calorie ones as they have even more sugar and salt. Instead try this easy to make

Homemade Vinaigrette:

  • 1tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 3tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1tsp Raw honey
  • ½ freshly squeezed lime juice
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Blend all the ingredients together and you have a clean and delicious dressing.  To make it creamy simply add 2tbsp of fresh avocado and blend.  Store in the refrigerator.

  3.    Watch the Protein Many restaurant salads are topped with chicken, cheese and nuts. All 3 are great sources of Protein but they are also great sources of fat so when you overload on the protein you are also overloading on the fat. This is acceptable if you are on a High Fat diet but if not then you are adding on extra fat when your purpose is to drop some. Ask your server to serve you just 1 protein (of your choice) on your salad.   4.   Be wary of Carbohydrate and Fat consumption I love my Macros but when it comes to weight loss you have to watch the proportions. The Weight Loss program that my clients have benefitted from is the Low Carbohydrate High Fat plan where Carb consumption is very much controlled. If both Fats and carbohydrates are being consumed in high quantities than the body does not get an opportunity to breakdown stored fat which is what you want. Whichever Weight Loss program you follow be sure to understand the basic philosophy so that you gain maximum benefits.

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