Calories in-side salad
A side salad is a light and nutritious dish that can be eaten as a meal or as a side to a larger meal. Side salads can range from being very low in calories to moderate in calories, depending on the ingredients used. In this article, we will explore the calorie content of different types of side salads, toppings, and dressings to help you make healthier eating choices.
Calories in Side Salad Toppings and Dressings
Side salads are often topped with various vegetables, fruits, and other ingredients. These ingredients can significantly impact the calorie content of the salad. For example, lettuces and other leafy greens are low in calories but can be overwhelmed by high-calorie toppings like cheese, nuts, or avocado. On the other hand, cucumbers and tomatoes are relatively low in calories and can be used to add bulk and flavor to a salad without adding many calories.
Dressings can also have a significant impact on the calorie content of a salad. Dressings can be either oil-based or vinaigrette-based, and the calorie content can vary widely depending on the type of dressing used. For example, ranch dressing is relatively high in calories while a light Italian dressing is lower in calories.
Examples of Side Salad Recipes
We will now look at some examples of popular side salad recipes and calculate their calorie content.
Caesar Salad
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Calories: 190
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Protein: 4 grams
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Carbs: 8 grams
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Fat: 16 grams
Caesar salad is made with romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing. The croutons and Caesar dressing add significant calories to the salad.
Pasta Salad
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Calories: 269
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Protein: 7.5 grams
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Carbs: 43 grams
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Fat: 7.5 grams
Pasta salad is made with pasta, mozzarella cheese, and fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives. The olive oil-based dressing adds a moderate amount of calories to the salad.
Chef Salad
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Calories: 371
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Protein: 15 grams
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Carbs: 8 grams
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Fat: 31 grams
Chef salad typically contains lettuce, cucumbers, cheese, tomatoes, and hard-boiled eggs. The type of dressing used also varies. However, one serving (249 grams) of chef salad with turkey, ham, and ranch dressing contains 371 calories.
Greek Salad
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Calories: 211
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Protein: 6 grams
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Carbs: 13 grams
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Fat: 15 grams
Greek salad consists of cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, red onions, and feta cheese. The simple vinaigrette dressing adds a moderate amount of calories to the salad.
Cobb Salad
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Calories: 290
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Protein: 16 grams
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Carbs: 5 grams
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Fat: 23 dollars
Cobb salad is a common salad featuring ingredients like mixed greens, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, chicken, turkey, tomatoes, and avocados. The red wine vinaigrette adds a significant amount of calories to the salad.
Tuna Salad
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Calories: 466
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Protein: 24 grams
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Carbs: 7 grams
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Fat: 38 dollars
Tuna salad is a cold salad centered around mayonnaise and tuna. The tuna makes it high in protein, while the mayonnaise increases its calorie and fat contents.
Egg Salad
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Calories: 571
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Protein: 23 grams
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Carbs: 2 grams
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Fat: 51 dollars
Egg salad is typically made with hard-boil