Salads are healthy, right? Not always! when we think of ‘healthy eating’, salads are usually the first thing to come to mind. they are not the only option but they are usually a pretty good one! Salad can be super easy to make a delicious salad is full of nutritious ingredients that will fills you up, but on the other hand there are a lot of ways you could potentially sabotage your salad and all it’s health benefits.
You may be surprised at some of these popular additions!
Great salads wrong Dressing
Sorry ladies, but that low-fat dressing you have stored in the fridge isn’t going to cut it. Don’t be fooled by their catchy marketing labels. Many store bought dressings are often loaded with sugar, artificial sweeteners, and nasty preservatives.
My advice is to always make your own! it’s really easy to make but if you don’t have the time go with the classic balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil combination!
Lack of Protein
Chances are with not enough protein in your salad. that craving will knock on your door very quick. Protein helps to keep you feeling fuller for longer, and turns your salad from a side to a main meal.
My favorite are grilled chicken, salmon and tuna. Beans or tofu are also great for a vegetarian option.
Stay away from the tempting deep fried additions, as these will also add large amounts of fat and salt to your salad.
The green affairs
Greens do count in a salad! always go for the darkest, leafiest greens you can find. Greens such as kale, Spinach, Arugula, Swiss chard, Watercress, Broccoli are a good pick because they are filled with nutrients and fiber, Which have all sorts of benefits for your body. Try to stay away from iceberg and cos lettuce as they are mainly made up of water. If you like the crunch of these then mix them in with the goodies,
The main ingredients
So before you get carried away, let me make it clear that I’m talking about veggies and the like. Unfortunately, piling on the croutons won’t cut it! When making a salad try to get as many colors of the rainbow in as possible. This will ensure you are receiving a wide variety of nutrients, Will fill you up and satisfied your taste bud, most importantly your salad will taste great! Try experiment with different salad recipes whenever you can.
The energizer: Nuts & Seeds
Nuts and seeds are amazing source of protein and healthy fats. Don’t go overboard with them in your salad, you may go from a great nutritional boost to super high calories! Although they are packed with the good kinds of fat, remember that they provide us with lots of energy, so moderation is still very important. Aim to only add a few nuts to your salad. By chopping them up, you will still experience the crunch and texture and you will feel like you have more in there.
Easy on the cheese
While cheese is a great addition to any salad for added calcium and protein, again, it is very easy to overdo! stick to small amounts of cheese in your salads, and the type of cheese also makes a difference.
A little Greenmouth-ology
Just because you choose to eat a salad doesn’t make it an healthy option, I encourage you to experiment with different style of salads, different type of veggies, grains and protein.
Happy Green Day
No comments:
Post a Comment