To lose weight-eat your salad LAST???

by Catherine Ipcizade | More from this Blogger

29 Nov 2006 06:42 PM

Americans are used to eating their salad before their main dish. In restaurants, salads are served after the drinks are delivered. At home, we often eat salad first, or we might have it on our plate along side our other dishes. But in France and also in other countries, salad is eaten after the meal, prior to dessert.

According to Dr. Mehmet Oz, this is a good practice. The reason being is that salad can curb our sweet tooth's. It makes sense if you think about it. Typically salads have tomatoes. Tomatoes are sweet and tart at the same time. Salads also typically have dressing that is at least somewhat sweet (think Thousand Island) or decadent and creamy (think Ranch Dressing). This can help to alleviate or eliminate the desire for sweets after a meal.

Making the change to having your salad after your dinner can be a bit difficult to incorporate, especially in restaurants. But restaurants are there to serve their patrons, so if you ask for your salad after your meal, you'll get it. At home, the change is easier to make. Simply make the salad and have it waiting on the table to serve after the main course is finished.

This leads to another discussion, however-about portion size. In America it is no secret that our portions are huge. The average American eats so much dinner that an after-main course salad may not be an option, because there simply isn't room! By reversing courses and planning your meal so that you eat your salad after your meal can actually be a helpful portion-control method.

Eating salad following the main course could potentially alleviate a lot of after-dinner weight gain. By reducing your cravings, you'd likely be more inclined to only take a nibble of chocolate or dessert, rather than feeling like inhaling the entire candy bar or piece of pie.

What do you think about this? Do you think eating your salad last would have an effect on your weight loss efforts?

Give it a try and don't forget to tell me what you think!

Learn more about Catherine Ipcizade

Cathy Ipcizade is 30 years old and currently resides in Southern California. Prior to coming to California she grew up in Arizona.

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Nola Redd (7081) 29 Nov 2006 07:06 PM

I'm not trying to lose weight, but I think the idea is a sound one. Also, I remember hearing that lettuce is very filling but that iceburg lettuce is mostly 'empty calories', which means (I think) that it will help fill you up but not be as weight-inducing as the chocolate cake.

Sadly, we never eat dessert when we eat out because the serving sizes are so huge that we are generally stuffed without it. But since I already special order my salad anyway (I don't like tomatos!), I may well start ordering it last. I just never thought about it! I do eat it on occasion at the end of an all-you-can-eat buffet, and I think you are right - those are the times I crave less chocolate. I'll have to actually think about that next time around the buffet.

Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 03 Dec 2006 05:34 PM

Hi Nola, it was an interesting theory and one I'd like to try myself (but haven't yet). Thanks for commenting!

maya (200) 11 Dec 2006 11:18 PM

This sounds like an excellent idea. I am going to try it next time. Thanks.

Andrea Hermitt (5472) 18 Dec 2006 08:42 PM

If I put walnuts, rasberry vinagrette and dried cranberries in my salad, I imagine, I might want less dessert!

Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 20 Dec 2006 05:12 PM

Very true! :)