(HealthDay News) -- A salad isn't automatically a healthier option. With high-fat dressings and toppings, even a salad can wreck your healthy eating plans.

The Cleveland Clinic offers these suggestions for tossing a healthier salad:

• Skip higher-fat toppings such as croutons, bacon bits, creamy dressings, eggs and cheese.
• Add healthy protein to your salad in the form of nuts, beans and seeds.
• Skip the dressing, and instead add a squeeze of lemon.
• If you want dressing, order it on the side, dipping your fork lightly into the dressing before spearing your salad.
• Opt for dressings that are fat-free or low-fat.