Yes, Salads Can Be Tasty!

By Donna Stark 

Did one of your New Year's resolutions center around eating better? Probably. But there's a problem, isn't there? You can't get past the plain rice cakes and boring salads you are imagining that will need to fill your diet. Fortunately, the food you consume doesn't have to be bland and flavorless for it to be healthy, and although there isn't a lot you can do with rice cakes, there is with salads. Take a look at the following steps on how to create the most delicious (and healthy) salads you have ever eaten!

Creating Your Base

If there is one thing that will get your salad started on a healthy foot, it's the greens you choose. Fill your plate or bowl with spinach, kale, arugula, or romaine. Or make your very own mix of greens! Since there are so many varieties to choose from, you won't ever have to worry about running out of ideas. 

Picking a Protein

Salads are a great way to get your diet and nutritional intake back on track, but if you top your greens with fried chicken or fish, you may be wasting your efforts. Instead of adding those extra calories and grams of fat, opt for a healthier protein, such as salmon, steak, tuna, or chicken, that is grilled. You can also replace those animal proteins with tofu if you would prefer.

Feeling Very Veggie

With so many vegetables to choose from, you could literally have a different style of salad every day. From the common cucumber to the extraordinary eggplant, vegetables are great sources of vitamins, fiber, and nutrients, so don't be stingy here. Load them up and pile them high!

Bulking it Up

In addition to the vegetables and protein you include, there are several other ingredients that will make your salad more filling. Try adding some beans, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. This is where you can explore different flavor combinations so get creative! Just be careful when adding these extras though. Some dried fruit is loaded with sugar.

Dressing Your Salad

After taking the time to create a healthy and nutritious salad, you certainly don't want to undo everything that you have achieved, so be careful with the dressing you choose. Read the labels and choose light dressings first. Or for even healthier alternatives, you can always just squeeze a lemon over your salad or stick with a homemade olive oil and vinegar dressing.

A Diet to Look Forward To

There you have it. A complete breakdown on how to create delicious and healthy salads for your New Year's resolution. Now, all you have to do is figure out how you can make those rice cakes taste just as good!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Beaverton, Ore.