Lettuce us examine the many dangers of the beloved salad bar. It may seem like the dieter's dream destination. And it is -- that's because it's loaded with high-fat, high-calorie offerings that are loaded with flavor. {relatedarticles}While the salad may seem like a diet-smart choice on the surface, it can actually be a major diet pitfall. The problem isn't those fresh vegetables -- you can eat those in abundance. It's how you dress up those leafy greens. Chow mein noodles are 15 calories a tablespoon. Croutons are 27 calories for 1/4 cup. Bacon bits are 25 calories a tablespoon. And don't forget about those scrumptious salad dressings. Two tablespoons of blue cheese dressing is 155 calories, while two tablespoons of Italian dressing is 160 calories.
Then you can factor in those other creamy, dreamy salads. Just 1/4 cup of tuna salad is a whopping 190 calories and 1/4 cup potato salad is 100 calories. Now that you know how quickly a good salad can go bad, here are some good ways to keep it light. Opt to take a smaller plate and make fewer trips. {relatedarticles}Load up on the greens and power proteins such as turkey, beans and ham. Skip the mayo-based salads, along with the croutons, bacon bits, fried noodles, nuts and seeds. Use a low-fat or fat-free dressing and stick to two tablespoons. Or go for just vinegar as your dressing. Enjoy fresh fruit or cottage cheese as your post-salad selection. All in all, keep your diet goals in perspective when filling up that plate.