Healthy Foods That Pack on the Pounds

Salads

 

While a fresh green salad seems to be the ultimate healthy dish, yours can easily take a turn for the unhealthy if you load on lots of high-calorie ingredients, like croutons, cheese, avocado, bacon, crispy noodles, nuts, and seeds. Not to mention the dressing—a typical pour (self-serve or at a restaurant) is four tablespoons, which can add another 360 calories to your bowl!

To keep your salad healthy, make it mostly veggies and use a wide variety of colors, too (you’ll also get the most health benefits!). Red bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, sugar snap peas, cucumbers, and red onions are all great choices. Add only one or two of the high-cal ingredients, going light on the amounts, and just two tablespoons of dressing, choosing light versions whenever possible. (My homemade vinaigrette is just 55 calories for two tablespoons!)