Seven easy ways to pimp your salad (2024)

Seven easy ways to pimp your salad (1)

Think about what's in season and how it would work in a salad. Picture: Shutterstock

Growing up a salad would mean some iceberg lettuce, a bit of sliced cucumber, some cherry tomatoes if mum was feeling really fancy and, if she was feeling totally over the top, some of those pre-cubed pieces of cheese. If there was any dressing at all it would be from a bottle. It's no wonder that I've always found salads to be completely uninspirational.

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Alongside this basic, let's call it a green salad, there'd be potato salads and pasta salads, those bog standard versions that would turn up at every party like an unwanted guest. For a while that ridiculous salad made with those crunchy Asian noodles showed up too.

We all know we should be eating more vegetables so salads seem the perfect option to serve alongside meat dishes or indeed stepping up and being the star of the show themselves.

But how to put a proper salad together? It's about, somewhat, experimenting with flavours and foods that you like. Fancy avocado and strawberries? Try them with some greens and a dressing and see what happens.

Stripped down, if you follow these six steps, the salad will fall into place.

1. Choose a base: try mixed leafy greens, baby spinach, kale or rocket. Despite bad memories, I still believe the iceberg lettuce is the most underrated lettuce there is. Don't discount it.

2. Add some crunch: think beans, cauliflower, carrot, celery, cucumber, radish, sprouts or onion.

3. What's your protein: even if your salad is an accompaniment to a meal, there's still a place for protein. Try quinoa, buckwheat or toast up some chickpeas. Don't forget the odd egg either, a nice runny yolk makes an extra dressing.

4. Add some fat: good fats such as avocado, flaxseed oil, olive oil or tahini are delicious additions.

6. Green it up: add handfuls of herbs such as mint, coriander or basil.

7. Get dressed: keep it simple or make the dressing a star. You can even just drizzle a little quality olive oil. Keep an eye out for infused oils for extra flavour.

Seven easy ways to pimp your salad (2)

Karen Hardy

Canberra Times lifestyle reporter

I've covered a few things here at The Canberra Times over the years, from sport to education. But now I get to write about the fun stuff - where to eat, what to do, places to go, people to see. Let me know about your favourite things. Email: karen.hardy@canberratimes.com.au

I've covered a few things here at The Canberra Times over the years, from sport to education. But now I get to write about the fun stuff - where to eat, what to do, places to go, people to see. Let me know about your favourite things. Email: karen.hardy@canberratimes.com.au

Seven easy ways to pimp your salad (2024)

FAQs

What are the seven things that you should not do when preparing the salad? ›

Common Salad Mistakes
  1. Here are seven things you should NOT do when making salads: Too much dressing. ...
  2. Pouring on the dressing. ...
  3. Wet salad leaves. ...
  4. Not seasoning it. ...
  5. Subpar salad dressings. ...
  6. Uncreative toppings. ...
  7. Served in a bowl.
May 13, 2013

What is the salad challenge? ›

The premise is: one meal every day must be a salad. Preferably it's a salad you make at home. Going out for a salad is ok but encouraged only here and there over the 30 days. If you have dinner plans, make your salad for lunch if you can.

Will I lose belly fat if I eat salad everyday? ›

Salads are loaded with fibres, and when you add a good amount of fibre in your daily meal plan, it can definitely target your belly fat and help it move away faster.

How can I jazz up my salad? ›

Chunks of meat such as beef, chicken or turkey can add protein, variety and flavor, and they can help satisfy your hunger. Some other protein-rich additives for salads are boiled eggs, cheese, almonds, walnuts and cashews. Try a new dressing: Consider trying a new dressing to switch up your salad's flavor.

What can I add to my salad to spice it up? ›

A sweet or tart fruit gives salad a great flavour boost. In spring, try adding strawberries or grapefruit. In summer, try grilled or fresh stone fruit tossed through it. Apple, mango, pomegranate, watermelon, rockmelon and dried fruits are salad favourites.

What happens if I eat salad every day? ›

"Eating salads on a daily basis as part of an overall healthy lifestyle may support gradual weight loss over time," says Karnatz. "This is because leafy greens are low in calories and high in volume and fiber, which will keep you satisfied for longer," she adds.

Is cheese healthy on a salad? ›

Cheese has its benefits, but it can also add saturated fat and calories to your salad if you use too much. How to make it healthier? Use less cheese than you might like, keeping it to one cup or less. Reduced fat cheese can be an option as well.

What salad did Jennifer Aniston eat every day? ›

Plus you'll get great new recipes every week! According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, the salad she ate daily on the set of Friends was a spruced up Cobb salad with turkey bacon and chickpeas, which I recreated with my protein Cobb salad.

Will I lose weight if I eat salads for 30 days? ›

Whether you will lose weight or not by eating salads for 30 days is dependent on what's in your salads and how much you eat. As with any other diet, if you don't create a calorie deficit, you won't lose weight (7).

What is the Kim Kardashian salad? ›

This viral La Scala Chopped Salad was made famous by none other than the Kardashians, so you know I needed to give it a try. All of the great flavours from an Italian cold cut but in a salad format. The best part is how customizable it is; grab what you love, give it a quick chop, and enjoy!

What is the healthiest thing to put in a salad? ›

leafy greens such as romaine, arugula, kale and spinach. whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice and bulgur. chopped or shredded vegetables such as cucumber, tomato, cabbage, and beets.

What to avoid in salad for weight loss? ›

Crunchy Noodles, Wontons, and Tortilla Strips

“Crunchy noodles are like eating chips,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.D.N., creator of BetterThanDieting.com and author of Read It Before You Eat It. All they add to your salad are calories (around 120 per half cup) and fat (half of those calories, at around 60 grams).

Will I lose weight if I eat salad for a month? ›

Whether you will lose weight or not by eating salads for 30 days is dependent on what's in your salads and how much you eat. As with any other diet, if you don't create a calorie deficit, you won't lose weight (7).

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