For some people, the phrase ‘exciting salad’ is an oxymoron. However, if you think this you have probably not been making your salads the right way. Or, more specifically, the right way for you. It is very easy to make a fun, exciting, and delicious salad because the beauty of a salad is that you can add whatever you like. You can choose the salad fruits you like, the veg you like, the meat you like, the fish you like, the cheese you like, the seeds you like, the dressing you like, the list goes on and on. Everyone can like a salad; you just have to think about it.
You might also be thinking that a salad is not a filling meal. Again, this can be fixed. Don’t get me wrong, a salad is generally a lighter meal, but it can very easily fill you up. A salad does not just have to be low-calorie leaves. In fact, a salad should definitely not just be a couple of lettuce leaves and a tomato!
A salad should include some form of protein, this can include pretty much anything. It can be poultry, fish or any vegan options. Protein fills you up, so if your typical salads are not filling you up, try adding even more protein!
You can also add some carbs to bulk out a salad. Salads might not typically include carbs, but they are super easy to add to salad. You can add some potatoes, some croutons, some pasta, some rice etc. You can even have some bread, crackers, or crisps on the side!
Add what you need to a salad to make it work for you – even if it is not something that is typically viewed as healthy.
Below are some simple suggestions to help you compose the best salad for you.
Salad leaves:
- Lettuce (romaine, iceberg, little gem etc.)
- Spinach
- Rocket
- Watercress
- Cabbage
Salad vegetables (some you can add cooked or raw):
- Cucumber
- Pepper
- Tomato (cherry, vine etc)
- Onion
- Carrots
- Peppers (bell, sweet etc)
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Sweetcorn
- Avocado
- Cauliflower
- Beetroot
Main protein sources for a salad (tip: you don’t have to add lean protein, you can add breaded options or any other option you like):
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Egg
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Shrimp
- Tofu
- Edamame
- Chickpeas
- Beans
- (you can also add meat, fish and substitues that are not so high in protein to a salad)
Carbs to add to a salad:
- Croutons
- Potato
- Pasta
- Nachos
- Rice
- Noodles
Salad toppers:
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Feta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Almonds
- Peanuts
- Quinoa
Salad dressings/sauces:
- Salsa
- Mayonnaise
- Honey and mustard
- French dressing
- Caesar
- Sweet chilli
- Yogurt dressing
- Ranch dressing
- Mustard
- Vinegar
- Vinaigrette
