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Croutons on salad swap/suggestions??

Amberh82
Posts: 465 Member
ok, I love my salads, but I love having something salty and crunchy on them like croutons or tortilla strips. Anyone have a swap for these that you found you like?
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Replies
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Are you looking for something low calorie or something different? I've done spiced pumpkin seeds, nuts, and even cheese pan fried until crispy. Not particularly low calorie though.0
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I add some crunchy veggies like cucumber or broccoli slaw works great as a sub for say dried noodles in an Asian salad. Still get the crunch and can add a little salt into the dressing/vinaigrette instead. Sliced almonds, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds are also a great addition for taste and texture but have to be careful as they are much more calorie dense if you are trying to keep it light.0
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mainly something healthier than croutons0
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Sunflower seeds, roasted or raw. They are higher in fat but they fit your bill.
Feta cheese. Flavorful but not crunchy.
Chickpeas, prepared any way. I even love them reconstituted from dry, raw. You might want to roast them.0 -
Oh, and after googling I found: cut up wonton wrappers and bake, freeze dried veggies, or fiber one original cereal (sounds kind of odd, but I could see it working).0
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"Healthier" by what definition, exactly? Lower calories? Fewer carbs? Croutons aren't "unhealthy" in an of themselves. What specifically are you looking to replace, because that will help us make more specific recommendations.0
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Croutons aren't overly high in calories, so maybe just cut back on them a little. I add garlic salt to my salads to add a little extra salty taste and flavor and then I don't get any dressing.0
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I smash the croutons so that only about 5 go a long way, hence saving calories.0
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put parmesan cheese on a plate and microwave it until it's a crisp0
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I was able to replace them with raw cashews or almonds. So yummy. That was my replacement when I went gluten free and couldn't find croutons that I could eat.0
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Measure the croutons and enjoy them. One serving ( 2 TBS) is only around 35 calories. That much of a serving of nuts or seeds can run you well over 100. My husband who is diabetic will refuse to eat croutons on his salad because they are a carb, but then down 1/2 a can of nuts after dinner while working at the computer. A calorie is still a calorie.0
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Measure the croutons and enjoy them. One serving ( 2 TBS) is only around 35 calories. That much of a serving of nuts or seeds can run you well over 100. My husband who is diabetic will refuse to eat croutons on his salad because they are a carb, but then down 1/2 a can of nuts after dinner while working at the computer. A calorie is still a calorie.
I've never understood attempting to measure croutons in a measuring spoon; I'd recommend weighing them on a food scale. But I agree, eat a serving if you enjoy them and work them into your calories.0 -
I'd just eat the croutons. They're only 35 calories. If you can't find a way to fit that in your day you have bigger issues than the croutons.0
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Roasted chickpeas are awesome! And they have different flavors just like croutons would!(:0
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How about Granny Smith apple chunks? While not salty, they're crunchy and give a nice tang to a salad.0
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Bacon, raw broccoli, taco seasoning, salsa,
Bac'n Pieces Bacon-Flavored Bits (they are made out of soy)
http://www.target.com/p/mccormick-bac-n-pieces-bacon-flavored-bits-4-4-oz/-/A-13276435
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Maybe pepperoncini? Salty, perhaps crunchy, about 10 calories for a few.0
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sometimes i like dried cranberries~0
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I'd go with crunchy bacon bits0
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Nuts or sunflower seeds.0
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