What makes a deli salad categorized as low fat?

A deli salad is categorized as low fat based on the choice of ingredients with reduced fat content. This includes selecting items that naturally contain less fat, such as vegetables, certain legumes, and low-fat or fat-free cheeses. The overall fat content of the salad is determined by the combination of these ingredients, allowing it to meet low-fat dietary criteria.

While options such as low sodium ingredients, light dressing, and lean meats contribute to the overall healthiness of a salad, they specifically do not address the fat content directly. For instance, a light dressing might be lower in fat but could still be high in sugar or sodium. Similarly, lean meats can be part of a low-fat salad, but the inclusion of high-fat toppings or dressings could negate those benefits. Therefore, the focus on reducing fat content in the ingredients is what solidifies a salad's classification as low fat.