May is also National Salad month. When you hear the word salad I’m sure you
think of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, dressing, etc but there are so many
different salad varieties that you could literally eat a different salad every day
of the year. Salads are a great way to
stock up on nutrient-dense foods such as fruits and vegetables. You can get your full servings of vegetables
in one really great salad.
I love adding chunks of cooked sweet potatoes to my salads
as well as a plethora of crunchy vegetables.
I also love to roast vegetables in the oven such as zucchini, bell
peppers, onions, and mushrooms and add them to a fresh salad as well. You can even go to the opposite end of the
spectrum and do without the lettuce all together. The antipasto salad is a good example. This
salad usually contains Italian meats such as salami mixed with chunks of
cheese, artichokes, olives, tomatoes and roasted red peppers.
Adding protein to salad is another great way to stay full
and satisfied. So another good choice
would be a chicken, tuna, or egg salad.
Or add some beans or quinoa to your next salad for added protein and fiber. You just want to try and steer clear of the
artery clogging saturated fats. Opt for vinaigrette
type dressings and ease up on the cheeses and fatty meats.
So why eat salads?
They are quick and easy to prepare and super
convenient.
Trying to get fit and healthy? Start off lunch and dinner with a small salad
or make your salad your meal and bulk it up with delicious and nutritious
toppings. Don’t forget healthy
monounsaturated fats such as avocado, olive oil, almonds and walnuts actually
help your body absorb protective phytochemical such as lycopene from tomatoes
and lutein from dark green vegetables. So
be sure to add one or more to your next salad dish.
They provide you with optimal nutrition: vitamins, minerals,
and fiber.
Now go ahead and challenge yourself to enjoy a salad everyday this week.
Check out this link for some great salad and salad dressing
recipes and ideas to get you started.
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