Stop thinking ofsaladas a pile of iceberg lettuce topped with shredded carrots and a few grape tomatoes.
Build it so it counts as dinner, not an afterthought side dish.
Construct a foundation.
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Whole grains fill your belly with protein and fiber, keeping you feeling satisfied all night long.
Root for vegetables.
Roasted root vegetables add delicious depth to a salad and heartiness.
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you might roast sweet potato, acorn squash, andBrussels sproutstogether in one pan.
Cut them into chunks first, then toss them in the pan with extra virgin olive oil and salt.
Roast in a 400F oven for about 25 minutes, turning often.
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Don’t want to roast?
Chop up some green leafy vegetables like kale, chard, and collards to top your quinoa base.
5 Best Leafy Greens To Lose Belly Fat and Slow Aging
Bean me up, Scotty!
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Bulk up your meal with more muscle-building protein derived from plants.
Add chickpeas, black-eyed peas or chickpeas, all rich in protein and fiber.
Pick beans with this ranking of14 High-Protein Beans.
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Pop in some sweet pizzazz.
Add a touch of tart sweetnessand a pop of colorwith a winter fruit such as antioxidant-rich pomegranate or apples.
Dried cranberries will work in a pinch, too.
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Drizzle the dressing.
Let your salad stand on its merits.
Make your own lightvinaigrette: Start with extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
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Mix in acids like apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Add a touch of sweetness like local honey or maple syrup.
Optional to thicken: a spoonful of mustard or tahini.
Refreshing, colorful, nutritious, and super-low in calories, herbs amplify any salad’s flavor quotient.
But they’ve gotta be fresh.
Try parsley, cilantro, mint, and basil to name just a few.
