No more, the salads debuting in 2004 at fast food chains are lovely and delicious - they actually look as good as they do in the menu photos. If you are dieting, you still need to choose your toppings wisely, but you can find a great, filling, and tasty choice that is good for you.
McDonald's Premium Salads - With Pedometer!
McDonald's Go Active! Meal includes a premium salad, pedometer with fitness tips booklet, and choice of drink including Dasani water. I applaud the chain for this choice, it may well be what gets people moving more and using a pedometer. I was taken aback by the slogan on the box "Shopping is now a sport." Hmmm...Review: McDonald's Stepometer
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad: I was given the choice of grilled chicken or crispy chicken - go with the grilled chicken to save 110 calories, and 10 grams of them fat and 11 grams of carbs. With the grilled chicken you have a healthy salad that is South Beach Diet and Atkins friendly and that fits into a Weight Watchers program. Choose the crispy chicken and you've made a poorer choice. Nutrition profile with grilled chicken: 200 calories, 6 grams fat, 9 grams carbs, 3 grams fiber, 29 grams protein.
I served the salad to my finicky husband and he loved it. I was very pleasantly surprised at the high quality of the salad, it matches those I buy at gourmet supermarket. It includes grape tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and a lovely mix of greens. The grilled chicken was very flavorful, enough that you might forgo the salad dressing. The salad dressing is Newman's Own Creamy Caesar, which has no trans fat, it is made with South Beach Diet friendly soybean oil and vinegar. The dressing adds 180 calories, 18 grams fat, 4 grams carbs. Caesar salad and dressing is usually the best choice for a low-carb diet.
Better dressing choice: Newman's Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette. This adds only 40 calories, 3 grams fat, 4 grams carbs. It would taste good on the Caesar salad.
Other McDonald's Premium Salads: As said, choose the flavorful grilled chicken rather than the breaded and deep fried crispy chicken and you save a mile of walking steps, not to mention the fat and carbs.
Bacon Ranch with Grilled Chicken: Premium mixed greens, grape tomatoes, shaved carrots, jack and cheddar cheese, hickory-smoked bacon, warm breast of grilled chicken. 250 calories, 10 grams fat, 9 grams carbs, 3 grams fiber, 31 grams protein.
California Cobb with Grilled Chicken: Premium mixed greens, grape tomatoes, shaved carrots, crumbled bleu cheese, hickory-smoked bacon, chopped egg, warm breast of grilled chicken. 270 calories, 11 grams fat, 9 grams carbs, 3 grams fiber, 33 grams protein. Higher in cholesterol due to the egg and bacon - 145 mg.
