Salads...are they really good for you?

The first thing people do when they want to start eating healthy is eat a salad. Greens like lettuce and spinach are healthy, but when we pile on the toppings we are adding TONS of calories to our otherwise healthy meal. Today I am going to tell you what to skip and what to add on top of your salad, and also share with you what type of greens are the healthiest.

Most of the time, we have iceberg lettuce in our salad. But that is not the healthiest choice. Kale is actually the healthiest choice of green for your salad. That is not to say iceberg lettuce is unhealthy, because it absolutely is healthy. Everydayhealth.com ranked greens on a list from one being the most nurtitious to nine being the least nutritious. While kale ranked number one, iceberg lettuce ranked number nine.  (click the link to see why)

The article "7 Ways Your Salad is Making You Fat" by Men's Fitness tells you what items you SHOULDN'T put on your salad and why. There are certain items that just add calories you should avoid if you are trying to eat healthy.
Technically shredded cheese adds calories, but if used in moderation is okay.
Of course if you are getting a salad with chicken opt for grilled chicken instead of fried.
Remember the conversation we had about sugar? Well dried fruit adds more sugar then you need.
Dressings such as Italian and Caesar are packed with calories. Instead opt for Balsamic Vinaigrette. 
(Click on the link to read the full list of items)

Other items you should skip on your salad are croutons, salted nuts, and bacon bits. Instead, add cucumbers, carrots, feta cheese, bell pepper, and tomatoes.

For a step-by-step guide to making your own healthy salad, read "Build a Better Salad."