Let them eat salad

Like most people, I enjoy a good salad once in a while. At least once a week I’ll throw down with the typical ‘side salad’ accompaniment to dinner, whether a quick n’ dirty Caesar or garden salad on-the-fly. Not overly exciting, but a change from the steamed or included-in-a-dish venue.

One of the tastiest salads I’ve ever – and I mean, evah – eaten is the Thai Crunch Salad from California Pizza Kitchen. Quite simply, it’s A.MAZ.ING. That’s right, three words – it’s just that good. My traveling and running pal and I shared this wonderful accoutrement to our ½ pizza (equally good, but somehow not as memorable) while picking up our race kits for the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon last November. Upon closer inspection, I’m glad I split the 1,000-1,200 dish with someone.

Wait – what? 1,000-1,200 (with avocado) calories for a SALAD? I hear your *wtf*, and I’ll raise you by a ‘oh what the hell’. Yes, salads can be – and are – high in calories and fat. True, they’re also high in fibre and nutrients, usually much more so than other restaurant choices, but they’re not always the wisest choice on the menu without a few changes.

For instance, a Boston Pizza Crunchy Chicken Salad would run me over 1,100 calories and 93 grams of fat, whereas a Big Mac has less than ½ the calories, and ‘only’ 25 grams of fat. If you want to compare McFoods, how about a Mighty Caesar with Grilled Chicken, that’ll run you 360 calories, 17 grams of fat…a much wiser choice than either the BP salad or ‘Mac.

Of course, you can easily make your ‘big salad’ a little slimmer. Choosing grilled over crispy chicken, dressing on the side, and sans the fried tortilla strips, will all make a big difference in the healthfulness of the meal. For you avocado lovers out there, don’t despair – this bad boy may be high in fat and calories, but it’s uber-good for you, so don’t skip it!

Go ahead, order your Big Salad, a la Seinfeld’s Elaine. Just make smarter choices about what goes with it.

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