Grab Best Fitness Blog Feed... By Karli Taylor
Salads can be a delicious and nutritious meal. They certainly don’t have to be the boring salads you may have grown up with, be adventurous. But remember, just because it’s a “salad” doesn’t mean that it’s a healthy choice!
It all starts with the lettuce. The greener, darker leaves make for a more nutritious salad. If you are making your own, try to add some spring mix, romaine or spinach to stretch out the lettuce and to add more nutrients.
The more colorful the salad the better, so be sure to all lots of freshly chopped vegetables. Red, orange, yellow, green and purple fruits and vegetables add something different and necessary, so see if you can add at least one of every color. The more the merrier, and these fresh vegetables are low in calories so eat up.
When adding protein, meat is always a solid choice, but skip the deep fired or heavily sauced varieties in ensure the greatest nutritional value. Go for grilled or steamed, and of course, watch the portion sizes. Legumes are another way to add protein to your greens, the added fiber is great, and necessary, but legumes can have more fat and calories than you need. Remember that a little goes a long way. With cheese, the same principle applies, so it is best to use shredded, low fat cheese rather than chunks. You’ll feel like you’re getting more because it can be spread throughout the salad better.
Now, obviously, where most people go wrong is the dressing. Most people tend to use too much, so if you are preparing your own salad, stick to the serving size. Remember to read the label with low fat dressings too, you may be surprised at the amount of fat and sugar in them. Simple olive oil and vinegar is always the perfect option. If you are dining out, order your dressing on the side, that way you have control.
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