Naturally, salads are a 'diet food" but they can get boring. If you have a good list of ingredients you can add, you can mix things up a bit.
I actually like to mix fruit into my salads. I have a sweet tooth, so this a way to get some of that sweet, without adding a bunch of calories.
Here's a list of ingredients you can add. Mix and match to fit your tastes.
Protein
Chicken
Beef
Ham
Turkey
Tuna
Salmon
Shrimp
Egg
Chickpeas
Bacon - sparingly - unfortunately
Cheese - Try feta or sharp cheddar or other strong cheeses so you get flavor and don't use as much
Tofu - I don't like it, but other people do
Beans
Nuts
Vegetables
For the "base" I like to mix spinach with spring greens. Spinach has so many more vitamins in it. YOu can do straight spinach if you want. I just like the mix of textures and tastes.
Cucumber
Carrot
Peppers
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Tomatoes
Avocado
Asparagus
Corn
Onion
Celery
Radishes
Mushrooms
Okra
Zucchini
Fruit
Berries - blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, raspberry
Apples
Dried cranberries
Grapes
Mango
Citruses - Orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime
Pomegranate
Pineapple
You can add some grains if you like. A nice couscous or a whole wheat pasta. Quinoa if you're gluten free. Add some crunch with baked tortilla chips.
If you're still not inspired, check out Pinterest. There are great recipes for making a week's worth of salad in a mason jar.
If your kids are picky eaters, set up a salad bar and allow them to pick toppings for a salad. You might be surprised by what they choose and what they'll try. My daughter actually likes asparagus!! We love a salmon, asparagus and feta salad with a hot bacon dressing. I had this in a restaurant and loved it, so we make it at home now.
What's your favorite salad topping?
