Lettuce us examine the many dangers of the beloved salad bar. It may seem like the dieter's dream destination. And it is -- that's because it's loaded with high-fat, high-calorie offerings that are loaded with flavor. {relatedarticles}While the salad may seem like a diet-smart choice on the surface, it can actually be a major diet pitfall. The problem isn't those fresh vegetables -- you can eat those in abundance. It's how you dress up those leafy greens. Chow mein noodles are 15 calories a tablespoon. Croutons are 27 calories for 1/4 cup. Bacon bits are 25 calories a tablespoon. And don't forget about those scrumptious salad dressings. Two tablespoons of blue cheese dressing is 155 calories, while two tablespoons of Italian dressing is 160 calories.