Holiday Salad
You've been invited to yet another holiday get-together and are in charge of the salad. Salads can be traditional (think Caesar) or extraordinary (think bleu cheese, pear and Mesclun). But why spend the calories on salad when there's dessert to be had? The tips below will help you create a beautiful, festive salad that will be talked about long after the Christmas tree comes down.
| Bite This | Not That | Why |
| Dark leafy greens or spinach leaves | Iceberg lettuce | More beta-carotene, vitamin C & potassium |
| Green or red apples or fresh pears | Dried cranberries or raisins | Lower calories & sugar, more fiber |
| Pomegranate seeds | Dried cherries | Seasonal, lower calories high in antioxidants |
| Shredded Asiago or Parmesan cheese | Shredded cheddar or Mozzarella cheese | Less fat & calories, more calcium |
| Almonds or walnuts | Sunflower seeds | Higher in calcium & omega-3-fatty acids |
| Homemade vinaigrette | Bottled dressing | Less saturated fat, calories and sodium |
| Dressing | Naked greens | Better absorption of vitamin E, better taste! |
| Shredded carrots | Croutons | More beta-carotene & fiber, less salt, calories and carbohydrates |
| Light gorgonzola or feta cheese | Full fat feta cheese | Less calories & fat |
| Turkey or chicken strips | Ham, salami or pepperoni | Higher protein, lower fat, sodium & calories |
| Drizzled dressing | Drowned salad | Less fat & calories |
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Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients:1/2 cup Balsamic vinegar2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard1/2 cup olive or canola oilsalt/pepper to tasteDirections: Whisk all ingredients together & drizzle over salad right before servingMakes 16 Tbsp. Per serving: 62.5 calories, 6.75 grams fat, 0 mg cholesterol.