Mistake 7: You Might Not Be Adding Enough Veggies
Lettuce leaves don’t have to be the only veggie in your salad bowl. “When a salad lacks veggies and is mostly made of other foods, your salad game will be weak,” says Burak. “The main point of eating a salad is to increase your veggie intake and get more nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber.”
How to fix it: With that in mind, most of your salad should be a base of raw or cooked veggies. Aim for at least 3 cups’ worth, Burak says. Think of it like this: The more fiber-rich veggies you add, the fuller you’ll feel. Consider options like spinach, carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers to add more taste and nutrition to your meal.
Mistake 8: You Load Up on Toppings
For some people, tasty toppings are the best part of the salad (no judgment!). Plus, salad bars, with their wide array of toppings, can be so tempting. But add-ons like tortilla strips, cheese, croutons, candied nuts, and bacon bits can negate the whole point of eating a salad for health and weight management reasons, Burak says.
How to fix it: “Think of the toppings like condiments — a little goes a long way,” Burak says. For a crunchy texture, sack the croutons and toss in a handful of heart-healthy raw nuts, seeds, or edamame. If you prefer a little sweetness, throw a few antioxidant-abundant blueberries or blackberries into the mix.
