When folks are “on it” with their nutrition, salads become a big part of their life. A “salad with chicken” is pretty textbook for lunch and what happens is you eat salad after salad after salad, get bored and angry and then you (understandably) break and overeat.
Salad should be a part of your life as they are filled with vegetables that are essential for a sustainable, healthy plan, but finding ways to enjoy salads more and not just eat them to be “good” is key to figuring out how to lose weight and keep the weight off….and live a healthy life with nutritious foods.
First – Are you really eating a salad? So many of us think we are ordering a salad, but are in fact getting cheese, fruit, nuts, fats and starches piled high with a bit of lettuce. So…be sure you are actually ordering a salad filled with vegetables.
Second – Get creative with cooking and make salads that are flavorful and tasty in any season. During the winter, you may not want a raw vegetable salad…here are some cooked, winter salad recipes that look fantastic.
Third – Prep ahead! Either cook these dishes in bulk so you have salads ready for the week or even if you prefer raw, wash and cut lettuces and veggies in advance so you can quickly assemble and enjoy.
Fourth – Don’t forget the protein and fats! The priority of a salad is non starchy vegetables – full of fiber and nutrients and little calories. However, protein and fats are going to fill you up and make it a balanced plate. Add each to make it a well rounded, satisfying meal.
Salads do not have to be bird food…make them tasty, filling and your new favorite. The key to eating well is vegetables…so incorporate some of these salads into your life for good living. Enjoy!