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Creating a Healthy Mix
Just saying that you're headed to the salad bar is enough to make you feel virtuous, but not all salad fixings are created equal. In fact, if you choose poorly, you could end up with a bowlful of fat and calories — and not so much nutrition. Choose wisely, on the other hand, and that salad can be a super-healthy meal complete with several servings of vegetables, protein and numerous essential nutrients. As a general rule of thumb, avoid prepared salads (like tuna or pasta), as well as high-fat dressings (like blue cheese or ranch). Instead, opt for the freshest, most-colorful array of veggies mixed with lean sources of protein. Here are nutritionists' top choices for creating a healthy mix.