Question: Are salad bars really a healthy choice at restaurants?
Yes! Salad bars can be a great healthy choice at restaurants when you know how to navigate them. Here are a few tips for a delicious and nutrition-packed salad that our dietitians would be happy to recommend:
- Stick with the fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Limit or skip high-fat items like cheese, bacon bits, creamy dressings, and croutons.
- Avoid or limit the prepared salads that are mayonnaise based, such as macaroni salad.
- Opt for light or low-fat dressings when available. Keep all dressings on the side and only add as much as necessary.
No salad bar? To control calories and fat and maintain nutrition without cutting out the flavor, use these same tips when ordering a salad from the menu or order a half size salad.