Fresh salads can be the foundation of healthy living, as they are rich in antioxidants, and the various vegetables on which they are based are also a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals. However, incorporating more salads in your daily diet can be a real challenge.
Therefore, the following tips will serve this particular purpose of helping you find ways of getting more of these healthy salads in your daily diet.
Have some healthy dressings at hand
One easy tip to apply is to have some healthy dressings already made. If you buy them from stores, make sure that you pick something that is not loaded with calories and preservatives. A good idea would be to make some at home and keep it into a sealed container. As long as you have the dressing you want at your fingertips, you’ll find it much easier to prepare a salad.
Have the right equipment
Salads are not challenging to make, but they can be a little time-consuming. Another excellent tip is to invest in a salad chopper, as it will help you prep the ingredients for your salads in no time. And, since time can be of the essence for you, such time-saving kitchen appliances may be just what you need.
Store chopped veggies for ease of use
After you use a chopper, as recommended earlier, you can store away any excess, or you can chop larger quantities so that you can have the ingredients readily at hand when you’re in the mood for a salad.
Liven up your fresh salads with exciting ingredients
Many people feel tempted to believe that salads are all about lettuce and not much else. As healthy as lettuce is, making a salad with nothing but this ingredient will turn your meals dull and boring. Instead of settling for this, consider adding some tasty ingredients to the mix.
For instance, you can add some black olives without their pits, or artichoke hearts. There’s nothing wrong with trying some healthy seeds and nuts, too. As long as the combination is to your liking, you will know that you hit the jackpot.
Tofu is another great addition
A few pieces of tofu can also make your salads better and tastier. Also, you don’t have to worry about adding fat unnecessarily. The same thing goes for replacing heavy cream with yogurt.
Add meat to your salads
Of course, not just any meat will do, and the idea is to get a lean source of protein. Tofu has been already mentioned, but if you want to try something else, chicken breast is another fantastic choice. It should be boiled and without skin, and cut into medium size pieces. Your salads will have a better nutritional value and will combine the benefits of leafy greens with those of lean protein.
Make your salads crunchy and tasty
Even if the whole idea is to keep your salads as healthy as possible, it is not entirely forbidden to add some ingredients that are not as virtuous as lettuce. You should get to eat more salads, and even a little cheating is allowed. So, for instance, you can put some croutons in your salads to make them crunchy and a pleasure to eat.
Add Hard-boiled eggs for more protein
Another thing you can add to your salad for better taste is some egg. It should be hard-boiled eggs only, and you must also chop them as fine or as thick as you want. Your salads will have a better taste, and you will be able to enjoy all the health benefits without a problem.
More than lettuce is allowed
Whenever you say the word ‘salad’, everyone instantly thinks of lettuce, but you should know that’s not the only green stuff you can have for your salads. It is pretty much essential, although salads can come in many versions since lettuce and other leafy greens are a fantastic source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Get a little creative and replace lettuce with baby spinach, kale, or arugula. Spinach, for instance, is an excellent source of iron. Also, these leafy greens will give your salads more body and texture, and you will feel fuller faster when you consume them during your meals.
Be aware that some of these ingredients, like kale, might not appeal to your taste buds right away. A solution would be to find some recipes that recommend combinations that make the potent flavor of kale more tolerable.
Fruits can also be added
While you may think of salads as combinations of leafy greens with some other vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and others, you should also consider fruits as add-ons. Strawberries and oranges are rich in vitamin C, and besides the advantages you may already know, they also help with the absorption of iron.