How Many Calories ... in a Chicken Caesar Salad?

Now that you're so diligently participating in America Takes It Off (you are, aren't you?), you're probably considering healthier dining options. And what's healthier than a salad? Salads are filled with low-cal veggies and they're usually low in carbs and fat. There's only one problem though -- while most of the ingredients in a salad are healthy, there's one important one that usually not: The dressing.

But will salads really do that much damage to your diet? They very well could if you don't choose wisely. Let's put our diet detective skills to work and figure out the facts on one of my favourite salads: The Chicken Caesar Salad.

What do you think?

The answer is 990 calories, 76g of fat, 30g of carbs and to top it all off, 2410mg of sodium. Ouch! That's one of the worst meals you can possibly order -- and you thought you were doing yourself a favour by avoiding the pasta! Even the fettuccine Alfredo is a healthier choice, and that's not saying a whole lot.

Some better options? Order the side salad instead of the full dinner one, and start off which a bowl of minestrone soup (120 calories.) Better yet? Go for the garden salad with a fat-free dressing. Eating at home? Make your own 'healthy' Casesar salad.