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Croutons on salad swap/suggestions??

Amberh82
Amberh82 Posts: 465 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
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?

Replies

  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    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.
  • maroonmango211
    maroonmango211 Posts: 908 Member
    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.
  • Amberh82
    Amberh82 Posts: 465 Member
    mainly something healthier than croutons :D
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    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.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    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).
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    "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.
  • tizzylish1975
    tizzylish1975 Posts: 1,475 Member
    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.
  • KiminNorCal
    KiminNorCal Posts: 40 Member
    I smash the croutons so that only about 5 go a long way, hence saving calories.
  • riirii93_
    riirii93_ Posts: 475 Member
    put parmesan cheese on a plate and microwave it until it's a crisp :)
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    Amberh82 wrote: »
    mainly something healthier than croutons :D

    What's unhealthy about croutons?
  • NJGamerChick
    NJGamerChick Posts: 467 Member
    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.
  • rosebette
    rosebette Posts: 1,660 Member
    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.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    rosebette wrote: »
    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.
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    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.
  • pinggolfer96
    pinggolfer96 Posts: 2,248 Member
    Roasted chickpeas are awesome! And they have different flavors just like croutons would!(:
  • OyGeeBiv
    OyGeeBiv Posts: 733 Member
    How about Granny Smith apple chunks? While not salty, they're crunchy and give a nice tang to a salad.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    edited December 2015
    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
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Maybe pepperoncini? Salty, perhaps crunchy, about 10 calories for a few.
  • lingo10
    lingo10 Posts: 305 Member
    sometimes i like dried cranberries~
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    I'd go with crunchy bacon bits
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Nuts or sunflower seeds.
This discussion has been closed.

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