Easy Salads to Bring to Work

erroneouserin

I've been trying to make this the "summer of salads" for the lunches that I bring to work. I'm looking for more salad ideas that are quick to assemble (ideally in bulk at the start of the week) that are easy to bring to work...and GO!

katya_be

I eat a salad at work everyday! I usually do romaine lettuce or spinach as the base.. then i grill a huge amount of chicken breast for the week and add it to my salad everyday.. you can also add boiled eggs or canned tuna as the protein... then I add veggies to my salad: cherry tomatoes, avocados ( add those the night before or the morning of the day you eat it), cucumbers, red onion, carrots, sundried tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, anything else you have on hand like olives, blue cheese.. I make sure to measure everything out and most days my salads end up being anywhere from 400-600 calories. I love my salads and look forward to them every day.

naturesfempower

I make a mandarin chicken salad with spinach, mandarin oranges, celery, almonds, and a ginger dressing. Tasty.

Also, spinach, strawberries, pecans, feta cheese, and balsamic dressing.

Or, spinach, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, garbanzo beans, olives, feta cheese and greek dressing.

naturesfempower

There are also beans salads like black eyed pea, garbanzo, or black bean if you get tired of lettuce/spinach. They kind of break up the routine and give a good dose of protein and fiber.

bizgirl26

I like to do a fruit one too. Baby romaine, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, craisins, slivered almonds and or sesame seeds with a raspberry or poppy seed dressing

katya_be

I cannot feel full/satisfied from a salad unless it has loads of protein in it.. which is why I add so much chicken

bizgirl26

Yes my standard seems to be veggies and chicken breast or eggs but once in a while I have to shake it up or I get bored . Love feta cheese in my salads too

brookielaw

Spinach, diced apple, craisins, feta cheese, almonds or pecans, and pickled jalapeños. Sounds weird, tastes delicious. No dressing required.

firesweetheart

In to save this for ideas!

engodwin

Check out Pintrest salads in mason jars - tons of ideas and a way to pack at the beginning of the week so you don't have to do it daily and nothing gets soggy

lmojoallen

http://www.fitsugar.com/How-Pack-Salads-Week-34675868#photo-34675975

Kale, spinach, cabbage, shredded brussell sprouts and romaine are greens that hold up really well the kale you can even put the dressing on and it's fine for a few days plus it's very dense and chewy so I find I eat it slower which helps the satisfied feeling. A little avocado and low fat or fat free feta goes a long way, even shredded parmesean in very small amounts = a lot of flavor. fruits are really nice w/ kale and mashing up some of the fruit to combine w/ vinegar, sugar free jam to thicken, mustard etc you can make a dressing w/ no oil
Definitely add protein egg whites, chicken ( quorn for vegetarians like me) tofu, beans.

I also started doing sushi bowls - rice ( quinoa, barley etc) various veggies raw cucumber, avocado, carrots radishes lightly cooked in rice wine vinegar, roasted beets then add tofu, chicken , cooked fish or shrimp. Top w/ sesame seeds, nori if you like that, dressing made w/ soy sauce, rice vinegar, spices no oils makes it very low cal and arrange in the container in little groupings makes it very visually appealing http://www.budgetbytes.com/2010/03/sushi-bowls/

Sunflwer3

I make a lot of home made salads. Chicken Caesar with grilled chicken, Parmesan cheese and Caesar dressing. Taco salad with taco meat, cheese, green onion, olives, sour cream and salsa. Pretty much use whatever meat is in the fridge and add what I have on hand. Mushrooms, tomato, onions, feta or another cheese, broccoli, etc.

tehman

In for ideas. I second that you need a good amount of protein to satisfy the hunger goods for a few hours. And Variety of ingredients from day to day is key. Keep trying different ones. Lastly don't have a salad every day. I try to have a salad for one meal each day but it gets boring sometimes.

erroneouserin

Thanks everyone for all the great ideas and suggestions! :flowerforyou:

mank32

Check out Pintrest salads in mason jars - tons of ideas and a way to pack at the beginning of the week so you don't have to do it daily and nothing gets soggy

:creeping hard:

candythorns

Not the healthiest calorically, but healthy in nutrients cause of the kale?:

Kale, with an oil and lots of garlic, then you add breadcrumbs and parm (50/50), it is SO good.

candythorns

I also like to just mix a bunch of veggies together, and bring a can of tuna with me to work and add it. If you get a flavored tuna you won't need a dressing.

Nataliea87

Super easy "Summer Salad":

1 1/2 cups of lettuce (I use Iceberg, but it's equally delicious with Romaine, and one day I got super adventurous and added some kale, which was amazing!)
1/3 cup of shredded cabbage/Julienned carrot mix (I buy this pre-shredded and mixed from Target. I am lazy.)
1/4 Cup of snap peas, broken in half
2 Tyson "Chicken Tenders" which I bake the night before. Actually, I bake several, consume some, and make sure I leave 2 for my salad. If you're stronger-willed than me, you could probably bake these in advance and use them on your salad each day.
2 tbsp Asian Sesame dressing.

My salad comes out to be about 500-550 calories, which isn't bad because it makes a HUGE salad. I'm very satisfied afterwards, and usually eat at 11:30, and then don't start to feel hungry until about 5:00ish, which is when I make dinner. You could also add mandarin oranges to it, raw ramen noodles give it a nice crunch if you're into that sort of thing, and of course if you're an onion fan, green onions would complement well.

sorrias123

I eat salads every day for lunch. I'm all about shortcuts so I start with the pre-packaged organic sweet leafy greens from Central Market (I live in Central Texas so HEB and Central Market both carry this). It's a huge container and lasts me the entire week, even with using for some dinners as well.

Each morning, I slice 1 carrot, about 10 slices of cucumber and 6-10 grape tomatoes into a gallon size ziplock bag, add 3-5 cups fo the greens and you have the makings of a salad. Add a can of drained tuna and your favorite low calorie dressing right before you eat and serve yourself up some healthy, low calorie goodness. I also add a chopped apple to my salad and I use Kraft Sun Dried Tomato Dressing...totals 427 calories.

(If you don't like tuna, you can top with grilled chicken strips or add black beans for protein.)

acpgee

This one is protein heavy, so very satiating:

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/avocado-chicken-salad-50400000120282/

I skip the tortilla chips, and add extra tomato.

Another trick (besides protein) for making salad more satiating is to toss in some cooked quinoa, shelled edamame, or chickpeas.

changing4life

Some great ideas. I especially like the mason jar idea.

katya_be

I eat salads every day for lunch. I'm all about shortcuts so I start with the pre-packaged organic sweet leafy greens from Central Market (I live in Central Texas so HEB and Central Market both carry this). It's a huge container and lasts me the entire week, even with using for some dinners as well.

Each morning, I slice 1 carrot, about 10 slices of cucumber and 6-10 grape tomatoes into a gallon size ziplock bag, add 3-5 cups fo the greens and you have the makings of a salad. Add a can of drained tuna and your favorite low calorie dressing right before you eat and serve yourself up some healthy, low calorie goodness. I also add a chopped apple to my salad and I use Kraft Sun Dried Tomato Dressing...totals 427 calories.

(If you don't like tuna, you can top with grilled chicken strips or add black beans for protein.)

I agree with the Kraft dressings, they are the best! I love the Roasted Red Pepper Italian dressing.. only 30 calories a serving (I usually have around 2 servings)

fernlori

Salads sound soo good. What about dressing? I love Ranch but its very high in calories, trying to ease away from creamy and go for healthy.

sorrias123

I read someone's reply about making "Mason Jar Salads" and I made some up on Sunday for this week's lunches...even made four smaller ones for my husband and I to split as side salads for dinner. I did a basic salad, vinigrette dressing, grape tomatoes, sweet peppers, cucumber, carrots, deli turkey meat and baby greens. So far they have been delicious. I'll let you know by Friday if that one tastes as fresh. It is great to walk to the fridge as I'm heading out the door, grab a jar and put in my bag...lunch to go is awesome!

Here's a link I found for ideas on some delicious salads. I'm going to make the ground turkey taco salad next week

http://www.organizeyourselfskinny.com/2014/03/17/the-ultimate-mason-jar-salad-tutorial-and-recipe-round-up/

KarmaZen7

Fruit, Hard boiled eggs, nuts, brown rice, raisins and I keep a jar of almond/peanut butter in my office..

MKEgal

My favorite summer salad is based on a grain & full of veggies.
I use couscous, but you could substitute something else with a small grain which absorbs flavor & moisture.
I like couscous because it's quick. Another grain you'd have to actually cook separately & drain.

Put into large bowl (4qt) & let it absorb while you chop everything else.
2c couscous
2c hot water
2T lemon juice
1T olive oil
1t garlic powder
1t salt
Yes, it will turn out a bit dry, but that way it absorbs the juices from the tomatos & cuke.

Add on top of grain (go ahead & dump it in while the grain is soaking):
1 can garbanzo beans, drained (could use black beans)
1-2 large tomatos, chopped (1-2 c)
1 medium cucumber, chopped (about 1.5 c; could use zucchini or summer squash)
1 small onion, minced (red adds more color)
1 can sliced black olives (either get an already-sliced can, or get a regular can & slice it; kalamata are great)
4-6 oz feta cheese (buy the crumbles, or buy a block & cut it up)
1 bunch parsley, chopped

optional:
1 medium red or yellow bell pepper, chopped

Once the grain has had 10 min or so to absorb the water, stir everything together.
This is best when cold, but I usually can't wait, so I have at least 1 bowl before I put it in the fridge to chill.

dan095541

I've been seeing a lot of great ideas on Pinterest about Mason jar salads. Seem interesting. Mason jars are compact and travel relatively well.

scubakat67

Here for some ideas, too. I'm getting a little tired of my romaine and grilled chicken salad (good, but need to venture outside my routine box).

munkaloo01

Bolthouse makes a yogurt ranch dressing.. Equally delish and a serving is only 45 calories. Its next to the pre made salads in the grocery store

engodwin

Step by step salad in a jar:
http://www.organizeyourselfskinny.com/2014/03/17/the-ultimate-mason-jar-salad-tutorial-and-recipe-round-up/
She even mentions My Fitness Pal in the article.

CassieR6

I love this! I was just about to post about this same subject! Keep the ideas coming!! :happy: