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Healthy eating can be a challenge anywhere, but it can be especially tricky when you are at a restaurant.
When eating out, it can be extra tempting to indulge on menu items that are less than diet-friendly. Even f you are trying to stick to healthy foods, it can be hard to discern which menu items are weight loss friendly and which are the opposite. Although everyone should feel free to treat themselves whenever they wish, it can be discouraging to order a “healthy” menu item and receive something else entirely.
With that in mind, keep reading for the one “healthy” order you should stop having at restaurants.
Caesar Salad
In most people's minds, salad equals healthy. Unfortunately, the truth is less black and white, especially when you start adding creamy dressings to your salad order.
Everyday Health explains, "Caesar salads, with their croutons, cheese, and fatty dressing, are notorious diet traps."
In particular, Caesar dressing can wreak havoc on your diet due to its high amount of fats and sodium. According to Mashed, "Most of the fat in Caesar salads can be traced back to the cheese and oil in the dressing. The bold flavors you crave traditionally come from Parmesan, oil, Worcestershire sauce, and egg yolk. All of these ingredients add up to a salty, fatty dressing sure to ruin your diet plans."
In general, it's a good idea to steer clear of creamy dressings (Caesar, blue cheese, and ranch to name a few). Topping your salad with these can transform your health-conscious order into an indulgence.
If you are really craving a Caesar salad, make a point of ordering the dressing on the side, so you can control exactly how much ends up in your salad.
Another way to minimize the fat and sodium while still enjoying a classic Caesar? Try making the salad at home instead. Then, while making the dressing, you can make any necessary substitutions to keep your salad healthy and weight loss friendly.
For example, this Caesar dressing recipe from Skinny Taste cuts down the calories, and it uses Greek Yogurt as a healthier way to achieve the classic creamy texture.
