There’s An Importance Difference Between These Two Salads

Instagram / @movingdietitian

At first glance, these two dishes seem equally healthy. Loads of veggies? Tick. Whole grains? Tick. Lean source of protein? Tick. However, one has almost double the amount of calories.

And yes, we know – when it comes to nutrition it's more about quality over quantity, but portion control is still important when it comes to weight loss.

Paula Norris, the Aussie dietitian behind the viral image, is using these kind of comparisons to show how deceptive some portion sizes can be.

“Unfortunately calorie heavy dressings, too much grain and not enough veg can result in a ‘salad’ with calories closer to that of a risotto,” she captioned the image.

She also shared the different recipes to show how easily it can happen, “even with ‘salads’ of similar bulk”.

movingdietitian View Profile

SNEAKY 'SALADS' ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Unfortunately calorie heavy dressings, too much grain and not enough veg can result in a 'salad' with calories closer to that of a risotto. Here's how easily it can happen, even with 'salads' of similar bulk... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔸On the left * 1 cup cooked Pearl Barley * 70g Haloumi * 1/3 Zucchini * 2 florets Broccoli * 1/4 Capsicum * 50g Eggplant * 3 Cherry Tomatoes * 200g Poached Chicken * 1/2 cup herbs * Dressing of 2tsp EVOO and 2tsp Balsamic Vinegar ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔹On the right * 1/2 cup cooked Pearl Barley * 35g Haloumi * 2/3 Zucchini * 5 florets Broccoli * 1/2 Capsicum * 100g Eggplant * 5 Cherry Tomatoes * 100g Poached Chicken * 1/2 cup herbs * Dressing of 2 tsp Balsamic Vinegar and 2tsp seeded mustard ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

"These posts are NOT to encourage calorie counting," Paula previously wrote. "But are to demonstrate the impact that ingredient manipulation can have on the overall calories in a meal (obviously important for those of you who are trying to lose weight)."

movingdietitian View Profile

No change in ingredients - just different amounts! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ On the left: 🔸180g steak (untrimmed) 🔸1tsp Oil (to cook steak) 🔸2 cups Lettuce 🔸4 rings Red Onion 🔸50g Avocado 🔸1cup Cooked Rice Noodles 🔸30g Cucumber 🔸2 Cherry Tomatoes 🔸2 tsp Sesame Oil 🔸2 tsp Lime Juice 🔸1 tsp Soy Sauce ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ One the Right: 👍🏽 🔹100g steak (trimmed) and grilled (without oil) 🔹2 cups Lettuce 🔹4 rings Red Onion 🔹25g Avocado 🔹1/2cup Cooked Rice Noodles 🔹50g Cucumber 🔹4 Cherry Tomatoes 🔹1/2 medium Carrot 🔹1 tsp Sesame Oil 🔹2 tsp Lime Juice 🔹2 tsp Soy Sauce ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ [Both recipes have equal amounts of garlic, mint, coriander, chilli and ginger]

By no means should you be consumed with obsessively counting the calories on your plate, but these images serve as a good reminder to hold off on going HAM on your servings.