Are You Making These Salad Mistakes?
By Sara Butler
Many people love to create salads at home because they're simple and can be very healthy. You simply throw together some ingredients you have on hand and toss in a dressing and boom! Dinner is done.
But many people know that salads can have a lot of pitfalls. So, if you want to make sure your salad is nutritious and delicious, then there are some mistakes you need to avoid.
Mistake No. 1: Not Washing Your Greens
Do you own a salad spinner? If not, and you enjoy salad, then it might be time to invest in one. That's because whether you buy greens from a bag or a whole head of your favorite leafy green, you should wash the greens you buy and dry them properly.
Washing helps to remove dirt and pesticide residue. Drying the greens helps the dressing to stick, allowing a little dressing to go a long way. So don't skip washing and drying your salad base.
Mistake No. 2: Adding Too Much Salad Dressing
Salad dressing is where a lot of people go wrong with a salad. Remember that salad greens are delicate and adding too much salad dressing will only weigh them down. That's why you should toss your greens in a little bit of salt and pepper before you dress them, adding flavor without adding all the calories and fat that can be added with too much dressing.
Mistake No. 3: Not Diversifying!
Adding protein to a salad is a way to kick up its nutritional profile, but many people get stuck in a salad protein rut. Chicken breast is the go-to because it's easy and lean, but there are many other healthy proteins you should consider so you don't get bored with your salad.
Consider adding hard boiled eggs to your salad or opt for seafood such as shrimp, tuna, or salmon. You can even go plant-based by adding your favorite beans from a can, tofu, or quinoa.
Mistake No. 4: You Stick With Only Raw Vegetables
When people think of salads, they often think of only adding raw vegetables, but you don't have to stick to that! You can embrace leftovers you have on hand by adding grilled, roasted, or steamed vegetables from last night's meal. Or you can add pickled vegetables, which can help to add healthy probiotics to your meal. Branching out from raw vegetables can help to add flavor and texture to your salad, keeping it from getting boring.
Keep your salad as healthy as possible by avoiding these pitfalls!
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