What's in your salad?

I'm a big salad eater. I LOVE salads. I agree that many (especially in restaurants) are really fattening. All of the dressing, the cheeses, croutons etc.. I don't normally add dressing to my salads. I like to use lemon juice or salsa and pico de gallo. Well, what's in your salad? What is the ideal salad for you? Also, does anyone know of a non creamy low fat dressing I could make myself? I want to try new recipes so any help at all is appreciated Thank you in advance!
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Replies

  • WickedGarden
    WickedGarden Posts: 944 Member
    In my perfect salad I would toss together:

    (everything organic)
    romaine
    baby spinach
    celery
    tomatoes
    avocado (or if I don't have avocado, I use crumbled gorgonzola)
    and a chopped up wild alaskan salmon patty
    if I'm really hungry some quinoa

    I learned to eat salad without dressing, I just sprinkle on True Lemon lemon crystals (I truly believe that buying organic makes a huge difference taste wise)
  • ctooch99
    ctooch99 Posts: 459 Member
    - Italian mix lettuce bag
    - Rosted Red Peppers
    - Artichoke Hearts
    - Walnuts
    - Fetta Cheese
    - Kalmatta Olives
    - Marinated Mushrooms
    - Grilled Chicken Breast
    - Vinagrette dressing
  • I keep hearing about artichoke hearts on salads so I am definitely going to have to try that!
  • ctooch99
    ctooch99 Posts: 459 Member
    I keep hearing about artichoke hearts on salads so I am definitely going to have to try that!

    SO good!
  • blonde71
    blonde71 Posts: 955 Member
    Basically salad greens, tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots, tomatoes, avocado and a protein: tuna, salmon or chicken. A dash of black pepper, lemon juice and some evoo. Really good.
  • annieu613
    annieu613 Posts: 143 Member
    I have 2 favorites:

    Buffalo Blue Cheese: baby spinach, tomatoes, red pepper, cucumbers, blue cheese and portabello mushrooms sauteed in buffalo sauce

    Harvest Salad: Spring mix and arugala, feta cheese, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, apples, mandarin oranges and balsamic vinegar
  • annieu613
    annieu613 Posts: 143 Member
    Also, I made a low fat ranch dip recipe that I saw on pinterest. 1 packet ranch dressing, 1 cup plain fat free greek yogurt and 1/2 cup 1% milk. It came out ok. It tastes kind of like flavored sour cream, but it's loads better than traditional ranch. I've been dipping veggies in it. Plus it's got a lot of protein!
  • reddingaz
    reddingaz Posts: 39 Member
    I have at least one salad a day - it generally consists of organic mixed baby greens, organic spinach, red onion, red yellow or orange peppers, and some black pepper.
    I use a homemade balsamic dressing made of olive oil, balsamic, fresh garlic, salt & pepper.
    Occassionally I'll sprinkle some fresh parmesan or asiago on it too :smile:
  • carriempls
    carriempls Posts: 326 Member
    I have 2 favorites:

    Buffalo Blue Cheese: baby spinach, tomatoes, red pepper, cucumbers, blue cheese and portabello mushrooms sauteed in buffalo sauce

    Harvest Salad: Spring mix and arugala, feta cheese, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, apples, mandarin oranges and balsamic vinegar

    Those both sound like my kind of salad! yum!

    I don't eat salad often. If I do it will generally be greens or spinach, carrots, onion, red pepper, and then some kind of cheese or protein (feta, edamame, tofu, quinoa, etc.) and some kind of fruit (apple, peach, berries, etc.). And a viniagrette of some kind. Usually homemade.

    OH and maybe sunflower seeds or a srinkle of almonds for crunch.
  • chrystee
    chrystee Posts: 295 Member
    Usually:

    Romaine Lettuce,
    cherry tomatoes,
    red onion,
    cucumber,
    olives,
    red peppers.

    I usually use balsamic and olive oil, but you can use lemon, a little greek yogurt, garlic and Olive oil and blend it for a nice dressing.
  • bump
  • Flixie00
    Flixie00 Posts: 1,195 Member
    I had a salad from Tossed at Westfield Stratford today, they make it up to your requirements. My salad consisted of mixed leaves, tomato, cucumber, roasted red peppers, sliced black olives, roasted salmon flakes with a fat free honey and lemon dressing. Not cheap, but worth it.
  • lrivera85
    lrivera85 Posts: 35 Member
    I'm not a big salad lover but when i do have my favorite consist of baby spinach, grilled chicken, reduced fat feta cheese, craisins. a chopped Fuji apple. I mix red wine vinegar with some evoo and I'm in heaven.
  • Yes2HealthyAriel
    Yes2HealthyAriel Posts: 453 Member
    baby spinach (if I dont have any I use romaine lettuce), mushrooms, feta cheese, newmans own lite dressing, avocado if I have one, cauliflower, and lately I have been using 2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds on top, which I am totally loving
  • jerber160
    jerber160 Posts: 2,607 Member
    i try to stick to basics...with kraft zesty italian for 15 cal per tablespoon.... but love fontinella cheese, croutons, beets, olives, hot peppers....
    I make a sesame oil/honey/soysauce/garlic/pepper dressing that i put over baby spinach with chicken and cashews.. it really rocks me...but it's hi-cal...
  • MzVonda
    MzVonda Posts: 87
    Spring salad mix, strawberries, feta cheese, baked chicken breast and raspberry vinaigrette
  • Romaine Hearts, cucumber, black olives, sliced avocado, carrot sticks, broccoli, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, a little bit of cheddar cheese, and Italian vinaigrette.
  • cheerforsteelers
    cheerforsteelers Posts: 686 Member
    I love salads! I put in grilled chicken, spinach, avocado, sometimes pico de gallo, lots of cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, banana peppers, onions (either red, white, or the green kind. I don't call them chives...just onions). I put in sprouts as well. Sometimes if I'm not putting chicken in my salad then I like it with grapes, blueberries, and/or strawberries. I don't eat it like a fruit salad but just like a regular salad. I don't put dressing in unless it's a little bit of vinegar or lemon juice. Once in a while I'll cook some salmon and put pieces of it in my salad. That or tuna.
  • stephross88
    stephross88 Posts: 846 Member
    The recipe for the best salad is

    Bagged Dole Extra Veggie Mix
    Baby Carrots
    Broccoli florets
    Cucumber
    Oscar Mayer Southwestern Chicken Strips
    Crunchy Jalapeno strips
    Bolthouse Farms Salsa Ranch Yogurt Dressing
  • Run4UrHealth
    Run4UrHealth Posts: 348 Member
    I never eat salad as a meal (maybe a side)....seems to never keep me full long. Plus I cannot eat salad without dressing. My salads (that I like) are probably as many calories as a cheeseburger! LOL
  • agleckle
    agleckle Posts: 235 Member
    My perfect salad (which I make quite often):

    Spring mix
    4oz. Baked chicken seasoned with pepper and a little bit of garlic
    1 whole sliced pear
    2 Tbsp crumbly gorgonzola cheese
    1 Tbsp dried cranberries
    1 Tbsp pecans
    2 Tbsp lite balsamic vinagrette

    So good!
  • trybefan
    trybefan Posts: 488 Member
    avocado, tomato, chicken or tuna, cucumbers and feta. Sometimes kalamata olives and I crumble up some pita chips
  • Run4UrHealth
    Run4UrHealth Posts: 348 Member
    The recipe for the best salad is

    Bagged Dole Extra Veggie Mix
    Baby Carrots
    Broccoli florets
    Cucumber
    Oscar Mayer Southwestern Chicken Strips
    Crunchy Jalapeno strips
    Bolthouse Farms Salsa Ranch Yogurt Dressing

    that sounds yummy! How does the dressing taste? Does it taste like light dressing? I cannot stand Light Ranch!
  • agleckle
    agleckle Posts: 235 Member
    Spring salad mix, strawberries, feta cheese, baked chicken breast and raspberry vinaigrette

    MzVonda, you sound like a salad maker after my own heart... love these kinds of salads!
  • MsFitn2012
    MsFitn2012 Posts: 14 Member
    Lettuce
    spinach
    boiled eggs
    cauliflower
    brocolli
    tomatoes
    croutons
    viniagrette dressing or sometime ranch dressing
  • mpaige1969
    mpaige1969 Posts: 52
    I make a HUGE salad on sundays for the week...lettuce/spinach/broccoli/carrots/cauliflower/red onion/pepper/cucumber/red cabbage...love it and then I change up dressings so I don't get bored...low cal low fat varieties
  • keconrad6485
    keconrad6485 Posts: 46 Member
    My very, very simple favorite: Organic baby spinach, organic strawberries, grilled chicken breast, Walden Farms sugar-free balsamic vinaigrette - minutes to prepare (I grill my chicken on a George Foreman grill :happy:) and super flavorful!
  • I usually eat a salad every day for lunch.

    The lettuce is usually chopped romaine (without all the cabbage and carrots- just lettuce)

    Then I add a big handful of raw baby carrots.

    Sliced onion.

    A teaspoon of chili garlic sauce (boost metabolism)

    Tyson chicken breast strips- 6 oz of chicken is 200 calories, 42 grams of protein.

    and this dressing: http://bolthouse.com/our-products/dressings/yogurt-dressings I really like the Ranch. It's only 45 calories per serving and it is delicious.

    The whole salad with an orange for a snack mixed in around 3:00 is absolutely satisfying and it's only 350 calories.
  • ctooch99
    ctooch99 Posts: 459 Member
    My perfect salad (which I make quite often):

    Spring mix
    4oz. Baked chicken seasoned with pepper and a little bit of garlic
    1 whole sliced pear
    2 Tbsp crumbly gorgonzola cheese
    1 Tbsp dried cranberries
    1 Tbsp pecans
    2 Tbsp lite balsamic vinagrette

    So good!

    YUM
  • jhalton
    jhalton Posts: 85
    Chayote
    bell pepper
    avocado
    Jicama
    broccoli slaw
    cucumber
    tomato
    Greens
    pickles
    hearts of palm
    artichoke hearts