26) Salad

The other day, I was standing in a lunch line as if I were back in middle school, observing other people's salad habits. The conveniently catered cafeteria-style lunches at work include a full salad bar, and it's always fascinating to see what others define as a salad.

First, most people seem to get into a salad habit. Not only do they make the same salad every day, but they assemble the ingredients in the same order. Given the plethora of options, it's interesting that we settle into such a ritual. Being lord and master of the salad bar, we relish the power to put exactly and only what we want in. While the lack of one or two components is a bummer, the absence of one's customary dressing is a disaster. Laments abound when the balsamic vinaigrette or the Ranch goes missing.

Salad is enabling. Since salad is generally viewed as healthy food, it alleviates any guilt of sprinkling bacon bits and wonton crispies over our lettuce before drenching it in Thousand Island dressing and throwing it in a tostada. Men's Health recently put together a list of the Worst Salads in America. California Pizza Kitchen's full Waldorf Chicken Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing came out on top with 1,570 calories, 30 g saturated fat, and 2,082 mg of sodium. And what of tuna and chicken salad? The genius that defined mayonnaise-covered meat as salad deserves a marketing medal.