How to build a healthier, more filling salad
Not only are salads packed with vitamins and nutrients, they also make excellent one-dish summer meals. Beci Falkenberg, a chef at Cancer Wellness at Piedmont, shares her tips for building healthy, filling salads.
“You can customize your salad or bowl to your tastes and dietary needs with whatever you have on hand,” says Falkenberg. “Start with greens and grains or noodles; add vegetables, protein, dressing or healthy fat, and fun add-ins for more flavor, crunch and nutrition. Incorporate leftovers, be creative and experiment.”
Start with your base
Start with a base layer of green and grains or noodles.
Greens: Spinach, arugula, Swiss chard, kale, mixed greens or shaved Brussels sprouts
Grains/noodles: Quinoa, rice (brown, black, wild), oats, sorghum or buckwheat
Add vegetables
“Think color and pick at least three vegetables or one from each category below,” she says.
Raw: Shredded carrots, radishes, purple cabbage/cabbage slaw mix, sliced fennel, bell peppers, tomatoes, celery, sugar snap peas or cucumbers
Cooked: Roasted broccoli, onions, cauliflower, eggplant, mushrooms, zucchini, green beans, Brussels sprouts, or red and golden beets
Complex carbohydrates: Sweet potatoes, pumpkin or squash (acorn, delicata and butternut)
Pick your protein
Protein helps build lean muscle and keeps you full. Try four ounces of one of the following:
Beans like black, chickpeas (hummus), cannellini or adzuki
Chicken
Edamame
Eggs (over easy, soft boiled, or chopped hard boiled)
Lean beef
Lentils
Reduced fat cheese
Seafood (sardines, tuna, shrimp, salmon)
Tempeh
Tofu
Turkey
Yogurt
Add healthy fats
Healthy fats are essential for good health and help keep you satiated.
Try adding avocado to your salad or drizzle on one of these dressings:
Maple mustard vinaigrette
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon stone ground or Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a wide-mouth jar with a lid. Secure lid and shake well until the vinaigrette is thick and creamy.
Ginger almond dressing
Ingredients:
1/4 cupalmond or peanut butter
1/4 cupwater
1 tablespoon olive, avocado orsesame oil
2tablespoons tamari or coconut aminos
1 tablespoonlemon or lime juice
1 tablespoon mincedginger
1 clove minced garlic
Hot chili sauce to taste or cracked black pepper for less spice
Whisk together all ingredients in a bowl; adjust seasoning and water to suit your taste.
Add some fun toppings
Depending on what you’re craving, add a few yummy toppings, such as:
Something sweet, such as apples, pears, grapes, pomegranate seeds, oranges, bananas, unsweetened dried cranberries, fresh berries, pineapple or mango
Something crunchy, like toasted sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, cashews, peanuts, slivered or crushed almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, chia or flax seed, or cacao nibs
Fresh herbs, such as basil, mint, dill, chives, cilantro or parsley (try mixing two)
Something fermented, like sauerkraut, a drizzle of yogurt or kefir, miso (add to dressing recipe), tempeh or kimchi (fermented vegetables)
Finally, when preparing your salad ingredients, Falkenberg recommends making enough for three meals to maximize your time in the kitchen, giving you more time for summer fun.
Check out more recipes and nutrition tips from Cancer Wellness experts.
FAQs
Below you'll find some tips on how to prepare salads that are tasty, satisfying and filling.
- Choose Dark Leafy Greens.
- Add a Lean Protein.
- Avoid Fat-Free Dressings.
- Drink Water with Your Meal.
What is the healthiest way to eat salad? ›
Sprinkle a small handful of unsalted seeds, such as sunflower or pumpkin, and/or chopped unsalted nuts, such as pecans, walnuts and almonds, to add some healthy fats to the salad. Dressings and vinaigrettes. Bottled dressings often have added sugars and excess sodium, so try making your own.
What are 5 components of a satisfying salad? ›
There are five elements to a perfect salad: greens, sweetness, creaminess, crunchiness, and dressing.
What can I add to my salad to make it more nutritious? ›
Build a Healthier Salad
- Grains. Adding cooked whole grains to your salad is a satisfying way to feel full longer! ...
- Proteins. Adding protein to your salad will keep you feeling fuller longer. ...
- Fruits. Add sliced fresh or dried fruit – choose a rainbow of colors. ...
- Veggies. ...
- Greens. ...
- Quick Tips. ...
- Dressings.
How do you eat salad and feel full? ›
Myth: A salad can't be a meal
“With the plate method, the plate is half veggies, 1/4 protein and 1/4 carbs,” she says. “If you're having a salad as a full meal, add protein and carb sources to make a complete meal. This helps increase the nutritional value and promote satiety.”
What can I eat with salad to make it more filling? ›
Carbs are important for energy and satiety. You can add carbs to your salads by adding croutons or by serving it with a side of crackers or bread. You can also make a delicious warm and cold salad with rice, roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes and/or quinoa. To take it to the next level, try to choose fiber-rich carbs.
What should I put in my salad to lose weight? ›
Salad Ingredients With Fiber
- Spinach (also a great source of protein)
- Mixed greens or slaw mix.
- Red or yellow peppers.
- Broccoli.
- Cauliflower.
- Carrots.
- Avocado (keep your serving small)
- Lima beans.
How do I elevate my salad? ›
To make your salads even more appealing, consider incorporating a mix of sweet and savory elements. Add sweetness with fresh fruits like berries, apples, or mandarin oranges, and balance it out with savory ingredients such as nuts, seeds, or cheese.
What is the healthiest salad of all time? ›
Three Healthy Salad Examples
- Base: Kale and spinach mix. Toppings: Quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, pumpkin seeds. ...
- Base: Romaine lettuce. Toppings: Cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, feta cheese. ...
- Base: Mixed greens.
Which salad dressing is the healthiest? ›
Generally speaking, the healthiest salad dressing will be a vinaigrette like balsamic or oil and vinegar, while Caesar, ranch or anything with the word “creamy” will be the unhealthiest.
Here are the top 20 healthy salad toppings.
- Chopped Raw Vegetables. A typical salad starts with raw greens, such as lettuce, spinach, kale, mixed greens or arugula. ...
- Nuts and Seeds. ...
- Dried Fruit. ...
- Whole Grains. ...
- Beans and Legumes. ...
- Fresh Fruit. ...
- Baked Tortilla or Pita Chips. ...
- Shredded Hard Cheeses.
What are the three 3 keys to a quality salad? ›
The three keys to ensuring a quality salad are:
- freshness of ingredients.
- the ingredients blend together in harmony.
- appealing to the eye.
What are 10 things to put in a salad? ›
If you'd like some personal recommendations from me, give these toppings a try on your salad.
- Cherry Tomatoes.
- Cucumbers.
- Roasted Bell Peppers.
- Marinated Artichokes.
- Avocado.
- Feta or Mozzarella.
- Olives.
- Flaky Sea Salt (Maldon)
What binds a salad all together? ›
Bound Salad
Bound salads are held together with a binding agent like mayonnaise or a thick dressing.
Why don't salads fill me up? ›
Salads are naturally low in calories or kilojoules. This is because salads mostly contain vegetables, which have a high water content. This may mean you don't feel very satisfied after eating your salad – making it hard to stay full until your next meal.
Why isn't salad filling? ›
Try adding some olive oil, avocado, or even some cheese like goats cheese or feta throughout your salad, and notice how much more satisfied you feel. Honestly – without some fat, vegetables don't fill me up. It's normal. The same goes for when you're cooking your veggies at home.
How are salads so filling? ›
Typical salad ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and small amounts of nuts are full of fiber, water, and healthy fats that make you feel full without loading up on calories. If you're going to eat salad every day to lose weight, be sure to watch your ingredient choices and portion sizes.