
Salads are only as good as their ingredients. Choose the freshest, brightest vegetables you can. This may sound obvious, but sometimes I find myself running through the produce section of the market just grabbing what I need. When you have time, go through the produce section and make sure you are choosing the freshest vegetables with the most vibrant colors. When choosing your greens, try romaine lettuce, arugula, red leaf lettuce, green leaf lettuce, spinach, etc. There is a huge selection to choose from....some greens are bitter, spicy, sweet or mellow. There is a world of flavor in that little leaf. My go to is romaine mixed with a spring mix, and sometimes some spinach thrown in. Try to stay away from iceburg though, it is basically water without any real nutritional value.
Salads can be truly satisfying meals, the kind that make you lick your plate and hope you have leftovers. For many of us though, the dressing is our downfall. Believe it or not, we can pile on the calories and fat by the dressing we are pouring over our salads....more fat and calories in that dressing than found in a burger and fries!! However, be careful, low-fat dressing are usually full of chemicals and sugar. If you are buying your dressings, read the label...watch the fat content and please, NO HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP. Try making some homemade dressings...it does take a little extra time, but it's so worth it!