10 salad slip-ups

For some people, the word salad equals healthy. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Take Wendy's Southwest Taco Salad for example -- it has 640 calories and 39 grams of fat. Or McDonald's Premium Southwest Chicken Salad, which has 430 calories and 20 grams of fat, and that's before you pour on the dressing.

But salad slip-ups aren't limited to fast food or other restaurants. People make plenty of not-so-healthy choices when it comes to the salads they make themselves. Divine Caroline shares 10 common salad saboteurs to watch out for:

• Bad choices. Skip the creamy pasta salads, gelatins, and other choices on the salad bar. Instead, load up with tons of veggies.
  
• Choosing lesser greens. Avoid the iceberg! It has little nutritional value, so opt for spinach, spring greens, or other dark greens.

• Being green. Sure, greens are great for you. But when it comes to your salads, make sure you add other colors as well. Produce from different color categories tend to be rich in different nutrients, so pick a variety of veggies to get the most healthful salad.
• Toppers. Croutons, bacon bits, and other toppers can add unwanted calories and fat while adding little to no nutritional value.
• Lonely veggies. An all-vegetable salad is probably your lowest calorie option but if your salad is serving as your whole meal, be sure to include some lean protein as well -- chicken, tuna, and garbanzo beans are good choices.
  
• Non-salad salads. Chicken salad and other mayo-loaded salads aren't your best choices ... even if you set them on top of a bed of greens.
  
• Going nuts with nuts. Almonds, walnuts, and other nuts are healthful additions to salads. But use them sparingly as they are high in calories and fat. The same holds true for sunflower seeds and so on.
  
• Skipping fruit. Fruits are a great addition to salads. Mandarin oranges, fresh strawberries, sliced apple, and sliced pear are all delicious options. Dried cranberries are also tasty.
• Fatty dressings. Dressings are the downfall of many a salad. Choose vinaigrettes as they're usually lighter. Better yet, make your own dressings at home.
• Too cheesy. A small amount of cheese is a tasty topping for a salad. But keep in mind that a serving of cheese is about the size of your index finger ... don't overdo it.