But I only had a salad — with a truckload of junk on it

“Oh, I’ll just get a salad,” is what people worried about gaining weight say when they eat out with friends. Salads are low-cal right?

That depends. Places like the Cheesecake Factory load salads with so many unhealthy things they soon become high-calorie, high-fat and high-salt.

Opt for salads without much added to the lettuce.

Indeed, salads made this list from AARP: 12 Foods That May Cause Unhealthy Weight Gain.

“Salads can be loaded with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals—but what you put on them matters. Piling on cheese, bacon bits, croutons or creamy dressings can pack more calories than you expect. 

Tip: Keep your portions in check when using calorie-dense toppings and opt for a light vinaigrette instead of creamy dressings. For an even bigger nutritional boost, go for a variety of colorful veggies and lean proteins to keep you full,” says the AARP article.

Other items on the list, such as nuts which are often touted as healthy, may surprise you too.

Even olive oil, everyone’s favorite fat these days, made the list. Quantity matters is the lesson here.

New year, new diet troubles, hello 2025

A new year usually starts with new diet resolutions. This is the year you’re going to eat right, and drop some pounds in the process. But then…reality hits. Most of us fall off the food wagon pretty quickly. Lose It, the diet tracking app, recently wrote about the seven main reasons why and what to do about them

The new year is normally new diet time. Read here how to do it right.

The first tip, set realistic calorie goals.

“If your calorie budget is unrealistically low, it won’t be long before you blow it. “Eating too few calories when trying to lose weight can be counterproductive and harmful,” says Theresa Gentile, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics who is based in New York City,” Lose It writes.

“Gentile says that extreme calorie restriction can slow your metabolism and alter hormones related to hunger and appetite, making it harder to lose weight.”

The piece goes on to talk about emotional eating as well as sleep habits and water consumption, among other tips. Give it a read and get back on that diet today.

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