Start with of leafy greens. They're low in calories and a good source of fiber. There are different varieties of lettuce, such as iceberg, leaf, spinach, escarole, romaine, or butter. The darker lettuces offer more vitamins than pale iceberg, for example. Spinach has iron, and all varieties are low in calories.
Add raw vegetables. Store pre-cut vegetables in your refrigerator; they'll lose some nutritional value, but they're still good for you. Brightly colored vegetables have flavonoids, and the dark green vegetables are lowest in calories -- about 20 calories per half cup serving. Fresh green beans, snap peas, carrots, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, artichokes, avocados, slimcados, tomatoes, and cucumbers are all good salad toppings.
Add fruits or berries Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, pomegranate arils, apple slices and raisins can add vitamins and antioxidants to your salad. One-half cup of apple slices has 30 calories, and one-half cup of berries has about 40 calories.
Add a little protein A chopped or sliced hard-boiled egg is a good source of protein, you can add a serving of lean beef, cooked shrimp, tuna, chicken breast, or strips of cheese. Watch your portion size and avoid fried meats like chicken strips or battered and fried shrimp. A quarter cup of chopped chicken meat or one egg will add 75 calories. Half a can of tuna will add about 80 calories. Two ounces of cubed or shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese may add up to 200 calories.
Sprinkle a few nuts. Walnuts, pecans, almonds, or cashews add a nice crunch. Just a few nuts will do, about one-eighth cup of nuts adds about 90 calories. Walnuts are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, and all nuts add protein and heart-healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.
Finish with salad dressing. One tablespoon of regular commercial salad dressing will add 50 to 80 calories, so be careful to measure how much you use. A large salad may look like it needs a lot dressing, but remember that one-quarter cup of dressing could add up to 300 calories. Low-fat and reduced calorie dressings are available or you can add some freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice to your salad.
Try This Healthy Salad
This salad has vitamins, antioxidants, phytochemicals and fiber, plus it's low in calories (about 400).- Two cups of green leaf lettuce.
- One-fourth cup raw green beans.
- One-fourth cup snap peas.
- One-fourth cup chopped tomato.
- One-fourth cup sliced carrots.
- One-fourth cup apple slices.
- One-fourth cup blueberries.
- One-fourth cup chopped chicken breast.
- One chopped hard boiled egg.
- One ounce of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- One-eighth cup walnut pieces.
- lemon and lime wedges.
