Salad add ons and ideas

outexan2927
outexan2927 Posts: 4 Member
in Food and Nutrition
What are your favorite healthy things to keep handy and throw in salads? I'm needing some new ideas!

Replies

  • babiis
    babiis Posts: 1 Member
    Alfalfa sprouts (very healthy)
    Marinated artichoke hearts
    Tahini
  • zdyb23456
    zdyb23456 Posts: 1,706 Member
    lately, I've been making some type of pasta salad, but eating a smaller portion over a somewhat plain salad depending on what's in the pasta salad (it stretches the higher calorie pasta salad and makes it a bit healthier)
  • dorianneflores
    dorianneflores Posts: 4 Member
    I add flaxseed, slice almonds, chia seeds, olives, slice onions, jalapenos, dry cranberries, sesame seeds. I like to have options!
  • bibimazoon
    bibimazoon Posts: 50 Member
    edited April 2015
    Nuts, berries, chia or pumpkin seeds, feta, capers, BACON, sugar snap beans, shredded carrot, cottage cheese, chopped dates
    My favorite topping combo is walnut, bacon, red pear, feta---so yummy sweet and salty
  • hstull82
    hstull82 Posts: 116 Member
    Ive been adding cooked quinoa to salads lately.
    Also pecans, feta, strawberries, apples, olives, artichoke, beans, corn, salsa

  • Queenmunchy
    Queenmunchy Posts: 3,380 Member
    I love craisins, blue cheese, and sunflower seeds. That combo is so good!
  • dearmrsowl
    dearmrsowl Posts: 151 Member
    I have a black bean salsa in my fridge at almost all times and add that to my salads. If I want something crunchy I found amazing thin crisp wholegrain crackers that come in different flavors that I can add. I just make sure to add everything in moderation since even a nice salad can have tons of calories if you load it up with too many toppings.
  • cblue315
    cblue315 Posts: 3,836 Member
    Thinly sliced dried apples or pears
  • jcow84
    jcow84 Posts: 75 Member
    Roasted pecans and hemp hearts. I also like roasted butternut squash but it's out of season now.
  • kmsoucy457
    kmsoucy457 Posts: 237 Member
    edited April 2015
    1can of chickpeas drained & rinsed + 3 oz feta cheese, crumbled + 15 kalamata olives, minced + 2 tsp evoo + 1 tbs lemon juice has been my go-to for the last couple of weeks. I mix all ingredients together and I have a filling lunch for 3 days.

    I am also a fan of the classic goat cheese/pecan/cranberry trifecta.
  • nlbez
    nlbez Posts: 111 Member
    Sliced beetroot or sweetcorn kernels can pack it out a bit. X
  • avskk
    avskk Posts: 1,787 Member
    Artichoke hearts and Greek olives if I want something salty. Strawberries and vanilla almonds or cashews if I want it sweet (this combo is particularly good with grilled pork and a honey-mustard dressing). Chopped pickled beets and cucumber (this combo is also really good in a tuna salad made with mashed avocado).
  • fr3smyl
    fr3smyl Posts: 1,418 Member
    kmsoucy457 wrote: »
    1can of chickpeas drained & rinsed + 3 oz feta cheese, crumbled + 15 kalamata olives, minced + 2 tsp evoo + 1 tbs lemon juice has been my go-to for the last couple of weeks. I mix all ingredients together and I have a filling lunch for 3 days.

    I am also a fan of the classic goat cheese/pecan/cranberry trifecta.

    Oh yum!
  • fr3smyl
    fr3smyl Posts: 1,418 Member
    bibimazoon wrote: »
    Nuts, berries, chia or pumpkin seeds, feta, capers, BACON, sugar snap beans, shredded carrot, cottage cheese, chopped dates
    My favorite topping combo is walnut, bacon, red pear, feta---so yummy sweet and salty

    This sounds so good!
  • jellybeanhed313
    jellybeanhed313 Posts: 344 Member
    My fave is a spinach salad with boiled egg, bacon, blue cheese, red onion, strawberries, pumpkin seeds, carrots. I use balsamic dressing or a yummy homemade greek yogurt based green goddess dressing. Also, some chicken, steak or salmon if there is some left from last night.
  • sudmom
    sudmom Posts: 202 Member
    Basically anything that is left over in the fridge from dinner-too many cooked veggies the night before are awesome when they are cold the next day on your salad. Broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, etc.
  • SophiaSerrao
    SophiaSerrao Posts: 234 Member
    - whole wheat pasta if I'm feeling particularly carby.
    - baked beans.... pinto, black, garbanzo (chickpeas).
    - goat cheese, shredded or cubed. Any cheese, really.
    - sunflower seeds.
    - walnuts, almonds, peanuts if I'm feeling particularly fatty, lol.
    - avocado, cubed, will heighten any salad.
    - cubed chicken breasts. Beef works too... it's nice to eat it cold for a change.
    - kiwi or apples for fun. Lettuce, grated carrots and cubed kiwi, dressed with lemon juice and olive oil is simple and different.
    - parmesan cheese... like the one you sprinkle on spaghetti.... it's awesome on spinach salads.
    - i don't do potatoes much, but baked and cubed potatoes can be a nice touch I guess.
    - Corn and/or peas.
  • Upstate_Dunadan
    Upstate_Dunadan Posts: 435 Member
    - tuna
    - grape tomatoes
    - chopped banana peppers or jalapenos (with some of the juice)
    - chopped pickels
    - sunflower seeds
  • AndiJH
    AndiJH Posts: 84 Member
    Today I'm having leftover fajita veggies & chicken over spinach. I usually just throw leftover sauteed/roasted veggies and protein over spinach or kale, sometimes add some vinegar/oil as dressing. Quick & easy.
  • jamie_reynolds
    jamie_reynolds Posts: 67 Member
    edited April 2015
    raw sunflower seeds, chickpeas, radish, zucchini, pickled (or fresh) jalapeno, variety of greens (spinach, arugula, romaine), avocado, celery (and the leafy ends too!).

    my favorite salad is arugula, roasted red beets, feta, pecans/walnuts, orange and balsamic vinaigrette.

    you could also try recipes for different homemade dressings.

    fresh herbs like basil and parsley are nice additions too.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    cucumber, grape tomatoes, shredded cabbage, peas, beets, boiled egg, feta cheese, radish, red onion, green onion, mung beans, avocado, grilled chicken, edamame,...lots of stuff really.
  • debsdoingthis
    debsdoingthis Posts: 454 Member
    leftover cooked chicken or shrimp with mandarin oranges in a sesame dressing over whatever salad veg I have on hand
  • outexan2927
    outexan2927 Posts: 4 Member
    Thanks everyone!!! Such fantastic yet simple ideas. Appreciate the help.
  • truelight_photo_craig
    truelight_photo_craig Posts: 347 Member
    Simple is good. Shredded carrots, olives, reduced fat feta, boiled eggs, leftover chicken or steak, love avocado and blue cheese!
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    Love artichoke hearts, plus they come in a can so you can stock up. And avocado. I have a hard time acknowledging a salad as real if it doesn't have avocado in it. Tofu - also keeps in the fridge for a long time.
  • shadowfax_c11
    shadowfax_c11 Posts: 1,942 Member
    Grape tomatoes, cucumber, chopped hard boiled egg,
  • kristinegift
    kristinegift Posts: 2,406 Member
    Chickpeas. Cranberries. Sometimes I make a salad out of shaved carrots and forgoe lettuce/greens altogether.

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