Salad is the quintessential “diet” food, and while you’re sure to lose weight if you stick to eating salads for your meals, you’ll more than likely be lacking the nutrients you need for a healthy, balanced diet.
Plus, while the staples of a salad — lettuce, veggies and fruits — are low in calories and ideal for weight loss, salad dressings and other fat- and calorie-laden toppings can quickly turn your salad into something not so healthy.
If you enjoy a good salad and want to maintain a healthy diet, here are three nutrient-rich, flavorful and filling salads we recommend for weight loss.
Jennifer Aniston’s Favorite Quinoa Salad
This simple quinoa salad is high in fiber, iron and vitamin C. Start with a base of detoxifying parsley, add in a scoop of quinoa and a diced avocado and you’ll pack in more than 60 percent of your recommended daily dose of fiber in this one meal. Drizzle fresh lemon juice on top to brighten it up and enhance its detoxifying power.
Ingredients
1/2 cup quinoa
1 cup water
1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, washed and chopped, thick stems removed
4 Persian cucumbers, peeled in strips, seeded and diced
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1 ripe and slightly firm avocado, diced
2 or 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
In a small saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Stir in quinoa, cover, and lower the heat to simmer. Cook for 15 minutes. Put quinoa into a medium-sized mixing bowl and cool. Add parsley, cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado and oil to quinoa. Mix and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Apple and Cabbage Salad
Candice Kumai developed this healthier version of fattening coleslaw. Crunchy cabbage, apple and hemp come together to create a detox and diuretic salad that’s more than a side dish. It’s a fiber-filled meal that boosts digestion and eases inflammation.
Ingredients
3 cups cabbage (mix of purple and green), finely shredded
1/4 cup red and yellow peppers, diced
1 1/2 avocados, diced with pit removed
3 tablespoons hemp oil
1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 cup hemp seeds
3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Massage and mix with your hands to tenderize the cabbage and cream the avocado. Serve.
Black Bean and Mango Salad
Here’s a refreshing, protein-packed salad that’s a must for your lunchtime rotation. This black bean and mango salad contains more than 13 grams of fiber and nearly 17 grams of protein. Although it’s a heavy hitter in the protein department, it’s still light and crisp. It also contains plenty of potassium to fuel your day and soothe sore muscles after a tough workout. Take it up a notch and serve it on top of scrambled eggs for breakfast.
Ingredients
8 ounces black beans (one can)
10 ounces mango, diced (one small mango)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon maple syrup
3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Combine black beans and diced mango in a large bowl. Add the lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice and maple syrup to the bowl. Mix well. Add the chopped cilantro and mix. Add salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy immediately or refrigerate for later.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that going on a diet means eating bland, flavorless, boring foods. That’s far from the truth. With these recipes, you can enjoy rich, flavorful meals that won’t derail your weight loss goals.
