Spring Salads for Weight Loss
Springtime is a time of growth and renewal, and your diet can reflect that. Spring seasonal produce is abundant and appetizing, and you can throw together healthy salads in minutes. Let The BariatricPal Store guide you to healthy choices so you do not end up with an accidental salad catastrophe.
Spring Greens
The term, “spring greens,” is accurate – you can find all kinds of greens for a salad in springtime. Check your local farmer’s market for the current in-season greens from baby spinach and red leaf lettuce to Belgian endive and radicchio. Most supermarkets have quite a range of fresh lettuces for an appetizing salad.
Power Punches
Add crunch, volume, and flavor to your salad with all kinds of fresh vegetables. Stick to your old favorites, or try new temptations. They’re all low in calories and high in nutrients.
- Vidalia onions
- Snow peas
- Mushrooms
- Sliced fennel
Sweet Strawberries
Fresh fruit adds a sweet taste and some fiber to your salad. The fresh, ripe, juicy strawberries of spring can make the long winter (almost) worth the wait – slice up a half-cup for 30 calories. Raspberries and tangerines are other great options. All three choices add vitamin C, too.
Over-the-Top Toppings
Toppings can make or break your salad, and your diet. Top your salad with bacon, salami and buttered croutons, and the game is over. You can be more satisfied and have a healthier salad if you top it instead with low-carb, high-protein foods, such as the following.
- Nuts and seeds
- Low-fat shredded cheese
- Crumbled Cheese Snacks
- Crushed Pork Clouds
Dashing Dressings
Salad dressing can add hundreds of calories, 20 or more grams of fat, and even 10 grams of sugar to a salad. What’s the point, when you can just choose Low-Calorie Salad Dressing in Italian or Honey Dijon flavors? They have under 30 calories and are fat-free, and they’re packaged in single-serving packets so you cannot accidentally douse your salad with a half-bottle of dressing. You can pack them separately and dress your salad at the last minute so everything stays fresh.
Celebrate spring in all the best ways: with weight loss, fresh foods, and satisfying meals. It’s easier than you may think!
