However, it is one of the most popular twists to enhance all the flavors of a diet plate.
Salads have the reputation of being the slimming dish par excellence. Fresh, rich in fiber, easy to compose, they seem to be the ideal ally for those who pay attention to their diet. But behind their apparent lightness sometimes hide ingredients that ruin the nutritional balance of the colorful bowl. The problem does not come from the vegetables themselves, but rather from what we choose to add to them to give them flavor.
Some ingredients are even misleading. Let’s take avocado: it contains a lot of lipids, but they are of good quality. In small quantities, it satiates and provides vitamin E, valuable for its antioxidant properties. Cucumber provides almost no calories since it is made up of 95% water, while being rich in fiber and minerals such as potassium and magnesium. Roasted chickpeas are an interesting option to complement the salad, as they contain both plant-based protein and fiber. They also contribute to emotional balance thanks to the presence of B group vitamins and tryptophan. These examples show that a rich ingredient is not necessarily a bad choice if it is dosed correctly. The real problem lies in a condiment that we think is light, but which is not at all.
A drizzle of good quality olive oil remains beneficial, because it provides unsaturated fats and antioxidants, as long as you don’t add more than a spoonful. Fresh herbs, lemon juice or even vinegar add flavor without adding a lot of calories. No, the maligned condiment is none other than soy sauce. Behind its salty taste, it hides two traps. First, a very high sodium content which promotes water retention and gives that feeling of bloating after a meal. Then, the presence of simple sugars in many industrial versions.
Result: a salad that should be light turns into a dish with more calories than you might think. Better to return to simple seasonings which flavor without unbalancing the whole. The salad then regains its role as a healthy, satisfying meal suitable for those who watch their figure.
