Salad Hater...Advice?

AlexJourneyHall
AlexJourneyHall Posts: 137 Member
edited October 4 in Food and Nutrition
I really do not like salad at all. Couldn't eat it unless it was an Asian Salad from McDonalds(these are the only exception though). I do love veggies, and I do wish to clean up my diet, but there is the matter of a budget.

Does anyone have any suggestions on veggie ideas so that I can eat more veggies, get most of my needed protein and have it still be easy to prepare?

Replies

  • PennyNickel14
    PennyNickel14 Posts: 749 Member
    There are many delightful ways to eat veg without salads. I am not a huge salad eater.

    Do you like them oven roasted or lightly steamed?
  • Kym1610
    Kym1610 Posts: 328 Member
    My husband is vegan so I spend some time looking through cook books for healthy receipe's we both enjoy. There are some in the link on my signature
  • PunkMasterToast
    PunkMasterToast Posts: 1
    V8 or V8 Fusion is a good way to get more vegetables if you don't like eating them normally.
  • 1myfit
    1myfit Posts: 69
    salads are a waste of cals.....(my opinion)
  • LabRat529
    LabRat529 Posts: 1,323 Member
    There's nothing magic about salad. If you like veggies but not salads... then just eat the veggies :) I frequently eat bell peppers and tomatoes the way one might eat an apple. I just bite in and enjoy.

    And as the previous poster mentioned... roasted or lightly steamed is yummy. I'll add grilled to the list. Grilled veggies are spectacular. I LOVE grilled asparagus.

    As for the cost issue... look around! I don't know if they have them in your area... but out here in California, there are non-chain grocery stores, frequently with asian or hispanic names. They often carry cheap veggies. Sometimes the quality is not great, so you've got to do some digging... but they're nice for when money is tight. You can also find some interesting veggies that aren't carried in normal grocery stores.

    They had the non-chain stores in Colorado too... you just have to look.
  • sunkisses
    sunkisses Posts: 2,365 Member
    Not all salads are lettuce, tomato, cucumber, dressing. You can cut up any kind of veggies you like and put them together, drizzle them with lime juice, pineapple juice, or any sauce you like.

    My favorite salad is halved figs, sliced hearts of palm, topped with a little crumbled bacon, crumbled goat cheese and a little fig infused vinegar and toasted pecans.

    You can eat vegetables and fruits however you want.
  • samb
    samb Posts: 464 Member
    many many ways to get veggies --- frozen ones r usually pretty cheap on sale & you just have to heat them up. For salads I like to make mine with as many things as possible lol and I also like to take ideas from restaurants menus. For example I loveee salad with romaine lettuce, baby spinach, spring mix lettuce mix, cucumber, peppers, carrot, scallions, tomato, chicken, bacon, sliced almonds and ranch dressing. also love all of the above minus the meat with good seasons italian dressing. could also add ham/boiled egg/etc to it. and there are also salad fixins and different croutons etc. i just don't use them because i eat gluten free, but they may be an option for you. you could also add hot peppers, onion, olives, sugar snap peas (love them!), fruit, nuts, among many other things. other ways to incorporate veggies without having them alone is in a stir fry, fajitas, tacos, and chicken primavera, kabobs, among many other recipes. (and those recipes can be easy if you buy the frozen vegetables that are already made for that!). you can grill, sautee, pan fry, microwave, raw, marinate, etc. in addition you can make it into a wrap or sandwich too. or just have vegetables and dip! just gotta get creative :)
  • jarrettd
    jarrettd Posts: 872 Member
    I like grilled veggies...squash, zucchini, peppers, mushrooms, onions; marinated in oive oil and garlic, grilled or broiled until the edges blacken. Use as a pizza topping, pita or sandwich filler, or alongside a meat entree. The taste is something special, and can even make a salad tasty to a salad hater! (I use romaine, grilled veggies, black olives, pepperoni, and a little mozzarella, with roasted red pepper viniagrette.)
  • dotmertsky
    dotmertsky Posts: 43
    any good cookbook has chapters on veggies. Also, you can get a vegan cookbook if you don't want to eat meat. I like salad but don't eat it everyday but I love veggies and eat at least two with every meal wit chicken or fish.

    Experiment and find what you like. What is you favorite veggie? Find out multiple ways to prepare it. You'll find what you're looking for if you look for it.

    Have fun. DOn't look at it as a bore. Enjoy! :happy:
  • AI1108
    AI1108 Posts: 488 Member
    I really do not like salad at all. Couldn't eat it unless it was an Asian Salad from McDonalds(these are the only exception though). I do love veggies, and I do wish to clean up my diet, but there is the matter of a budget.

    Does anyone have any suggestions on veggie ideas so that I can eat more veggies, get most of my needed protein and have it still be easy to prepare?

    Who said you had to eat salad? What about a veggie sandwich/wrap/burrito or steamed veggies with dressing? Or even just plain veggies. I also add peppers & tomatoes and things like that to my omelet. and add broccoli, peas and corn to my pasta. V8 is really good. I drink the original low sodium version. And I like to make chicken stir fry. Just some ideas if any of those interest you.
  • khua0808
    khua0808 Posts: 95
    A easy way to eat "salads" is really to just get it through with your sandwiches or other meals and I personally like shredded cabbage, and just add lots of it in between whole wheat bread with some roast beef and dijon mustard. Or I put lots of shredded cabbage next to chicken or something
  • singer201
    singer201 Posts: 563 Member
    I also got tired of eating "salad", so now I take a container with a variety of cut up raw veggies (mushroom, carrots, red bell pepper, grape tomatoes, celery, cauliflower, cucumber slices) and a tablespoon of my favorite dressing to dip them in. I pair it with a meat-based entree (salmon, chicken, beef) and a piece of fruit for my take-to-work lunch.
  • getitoffhord
    getitoffhord Posts: 21
    Try adding different things and flavors you may not expect. My fave salad is: iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, shredded carrots, red onion, bacon bits, grilled chicken, Texas Toast garlic bread croutons, shredded cheese and rasberries. I toss the lettuce only with FRESH lemon juice, salt and pepper. Then I add everything else and mix all together with some fat free ranch, or italian. It sounds wild but is so good!!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I hardly ever have salads, at least not as a meal.

    I like buying mixed bags of frozen veggies and adding them to just about anything. The pepper onion stir fry mixes are great with chicken or beef and a little salsa in a crock pot. Yum.
  • getitoffhord
    getitoffhord Posts: 21
    I forgot...even better to use pomegranate seeds instead of rasberries.
  • shnazzy
    shnazzy Posts: 213
    Not all salads are lettuce, tomato, cucumber, dressing. You can cut up any kind of veggies you like and put them together, drizzle them with lime juice, pineapple juice, or any sauce you like.

    My favorite salad is halved figs, sliced hearts of palm, topped with a little crumbled bacon, crumbled goat cheese and a little fig infused vinegar and toasted pecans.

    You can eat vegetables and fruits however you want.


    that sounds delicious yum yum :bigsmile: :bigsmile:
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    eat the veggies and pretend it's not a salad...
  • lucylue21
    lucylue21 Posts: 214
    in honduras, we would put lemon juice onour salads. it made them taste fresh plus we didnt have salad dressing...or a fridge to keep salad dressing in
  • TDGee
    TDGee Posts: 2,209 Member
    What about a nice macaroni or potato salad? Who doesn't love those?
  • lucylue21
    lucylue21 Posts: 214
    What about a nice macaroni or potato salad? Who doesn't love those?

    yes! wy dont you eat some nice fake cheese (aka overly processed fat and salt) and some nice carb ful noodles and call it a salad.... or not!
  • lor007
    lor007 Posts: 884 Member
    What about a nice macaroni or potato salad? Who doesn't love those?

    How about cheese salad? Or you could just eat a couple of cups of mayo instead.
  • ilookthetype
    ilookthetype Posts: 3,021 Member
    What about a nice macaroni or potato salad? Who doesn't love those?

    The Amish make very good macaroni/potato salads.
  • lor007
    lor007 Posts: 884 Member
    What about a nice macaroni or potato salad? Who doesn't love those?

    The Amish make very good macaroni/potato salads.

    I am not Amish, but I think mine taste pretty good.
  • lucylue21
    lucylue21 Posts: 214
    What about a nice macaroni or potato salad? Who doesn't love those?

    The Amish make very good macaroni/potato salads.

    I am not Amish, but I think mine taste pretty good.

    oopsie. cats out of the bag. we all know. you are amish. :p:laugh: its okay. i still support you
  • maryloo2011
    maryloo2011 Posts: 446
    I really do not like salad at all. Couldn't eat it unless it was an Asian Salad from McDonalds(these are the only exception though). I do love veggies, and I do wish to clean up my diet, but there is the matter of a budget.

    Does anyone have any suggestions on veggie ideas so that I can eat more veggies, get most of my needed protein and have it still be easy to prepare?

    Salad by definition is simply a cold mixture of veggies, fruit or a combo of both with (or even without!) a dressing. Saying you don't like salad in general is silly because it is so broad ;D :P


    There are soooooooooooo many combinations possible, you really just need to experiment. And as a note, typically I find I ruin my salads/mixtures (whatever you want to call them) with actual dressings so I stick to squirts of lemon or lime juice, or vinaigrette..

    Honestly I suggest writing down the things that you like, in different columns such as Fruits, Veggies and Protein. Then take a moment and actually visualize/taste in your head what would be good combinations and try it out.

    For instance, here are some of my random "salads"/"mixtures" that I love:


    Chicken, grilled and cut into bite-size pieces
    Spinach
    Tomatoes
    Chickpeas
    Peas (purple, snow, or similar)
    Diced peaches
    Feta Cheese
    Fresh Thyme
    Fresh Rosemary

    Mix together and enjoy cold.

    Greens - spinach
    Goat cheese
    Grilled chicken
    Walnuts
    Stawberries
    Blueberries

    A typical QUICK go-to salad my fridge would look like this:

    spinach
    mushrooms - all variety welcome :)
    chopped bell peppers (red, green, yellow, orange - any combo)
    minced red onion / sweet onion / green onion
    any other random veggies that I have a taste for (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, cucumber...)
    protein: deli turkey / Jenny O extra lean turkey rolled into bits / chicken breast / hard boiled eggs
    spices: typically one or combo of rosemary, thyme, basil, pepper, salt, dill....

    If i have the time to make it carbs would be either brown rice or couscous OR pasta (pappardelle or whole wheat)

    If I know I'll get a great burn in my workout that day I'll include low-fat cheese - feta or blue

    GOOD LUCK - seriously all trial and error!
  • maryloo2011
    maryloo2011 Posts: 446
    OH and since you mention budget, buy frozen veggies. They will be better than canned, almost good as fresh but cheaper and lasts longer (so you don't waste anything that spoils before you get to use it).

    I'm going to just add some more veggies that I thought of, that I like adding to my mixtures/salads:

    - cooked sweet potato chunks
    - edamame (protein!)
    - tofu, when I take time to prepare it. easy but I know it can get a little pricey
    - squash - YES!! Especially butternut, which is yummy cold as well as warm.

    Speaking of, have you tried wraps instead of salads? Sometimes I prepare the recipe for the wrap but then eat it without the bread/tortilla wrap and then it essentially just turns into a salad...right? Get my drift? :D
    Spinach Salad Wraps

    ingredients

    5 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
    1/4 cup sour cream
    2 Tbsp. sugar
    2 tsp. snipped fresh parsley
    1 tsp. salt
    2 cloves garlic, minced
    1/2 tsp. dry mustard
    1 tsp. olive oil
    1 5-oz. pkg. fresh baby spinach (about 5 cups)
    6 10-inch flour tortillas
    6 slices mozzarella cheese, torn in half
    8 oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced
    12 slices bacon, crisp cooked and drained
    1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
    3 hard-cooked eggs, sliced


    directions

    1. For dressing, in a small bowl whisk together vinegar, sour cream, sugar, parsley, salt, garlic, and dry mustard until combined. Whisk in the olive oil; set dressing aside.

    2. Divide spinach among flour tortillas. Top with cheese, mushrooms, bacon, red onion, and sliced eggs. Drizzle with dressing.
    3. Roll up tortillas. If necessary, secure with toothpicks. If desired, wrap in waxed paper and cut in half to serve.


    Edamame & chickpea falafal

    Makes 12

    Diet facts: vegan

    175g/6oz chickpeas
    275g/9 oz shelled edamame (mine came straight from the freezer)
    1 lemon, juice & zest
    1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
    small handful flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped
    large handful cilantro sprigs, rough chopped (including stalks)
    1/2 tsp salt
    2 Tbsp whole wheat flour (or plain)
    1/2 tsp ground cumin
    1/2 tsp ground coriander

    •Heat the oven to 425F

    • Place all of the ingredients into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until roughly chopped. Tip into a bowl and then form into 12 falafal. You can roll them into balls but I prefer to squeeze them in my palms which is quicker and gives you a bigger crispy surface area. Place them on a nonstick baking tray or a baking tray lined with silpat and mist with an oil spray to get the outsides extra crispy
    • Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy. Serve in salads or stuffed into pitas with hummus or tahini and lots of fresh veggies- a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil wouldn’t go amiss either.

    Oh and another "salad" that I recently fell in love with is a chicken-apple salad. I use Greek yogurt (Fage 0%) instead of mayonnaise and tastes just the same. The greek yogurt is not the most budget-friendly but for what it's worth...

    (serves 4)
    4 large organic eggs - hard boiled
    2 cups spinach, finely chopped
    2 stalks celery, cleaned and thinly sliced
    2 tbsp. plain Greek yogurt (or same amount mayonnaise)
    1 tbsp. tahini
    1 tbsp. lemon juice
    1 tsp. salt
    1 tsp. hot sauce (optional)
    Apple slices into bite sized pieces
    --combine everything and serve on whole wheat bun, or tortillas, or eat plain on a plate.


    Again, hope this helps !!
  • gingerb85
    gingerb85 Posts: 357 Member
    I'm vegan and rarely eat a salad. You might could say I eat my "salad" on a sandwich. I'll spread a little hummus on each side of whole wheat sandwich rounds and load up with whatever I feel like - I love raw baby spinach, so loads of that, thinly slice cukes, bell peppers, whatever veggies I have that I love and feel like eating.

    When I do make a salad, it is not your typical "lettuce, tomato, cucumber" salad. I add all sorts of things in there - raw sugar snap peas, nuts or seeds, dried or fresh fruit (like dried cranberries or cherries and fresh apple slices).

    I eat lots of roasted veggies. Lots of veggies and hummus - I don't think I could live without hummus! Stir-fried veggies. Veggies added to pasta, etc.

    I'm vegan, so if you'd like to add me as a friend for meal ideas, feel free.
  • _blackbird
    _blackbird Posts: 27
    I like salad... but I usually try to spice it up with some bleu cheese and apples, or hard boiled eggs and sundried tomatoes.. In any case, even if you're not eating salad, it's important to eat plenty of raw fruits and veggies. I would recommend incorporating carrot sticks, celery or tomatoes as snacks if you're not going to eat salad ever, at all.

    As far as cooked veggies, I like steamed or roasted asparagus, brussel sprouts, and stir fried mushrooms/green beans. Yum!
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