Are salads healthy for you?

You say you eat “mostly salads” but you are still feeling puffy, not losing weight and possibly gaining weight.

Why?

Just because you have a bed of lettuce does not mean that you can pile on the cheese, croutons, beans, meat, dressing, etc. You would probably be consuming LESS calories and fat if you ordered a plain hamburger with no cheese and extra veggies!

 Image from TakePart’s 15 Worse Salads than a Big Mac

When choosing a “salad” keep it as RAW as possible and SKIP the dressing! A lot of times I will have a small amount of goat cheese or feta and that gives me enough flavor that I will not need dressing. You can also have a small scoop of hummus, too.

I do not measure my raw veggies but I will measure my beans, proteins and anything else that is NOT raw. (1/4 cup for protein/beans)

And remember: just because it is labeled “salad” does not mean that it’s healthy for you!

Now I know not all calories and grams of fat are the same. Healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds, flax, etc. can also add up. However these fat’s are essential for your body. One of my favorite salads is my Raw Kale Salad which has a good amount of avocado in it. Calories and fat from whole, raw plant-based foods will ALWAYS be better than cheese, dairy and meat.

Raw Kale Salad Spread

Clean Eating and Healthy Salad Dressings

Avocado dressing

• 1 large ripe avocado
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/4 tsp hot pepper flakes
• 2 Tbsp lime juice
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup water 

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Adjust the amount of liquid to obtain nice creamy dressing.

Almond butter ginger dressing

• 1/2 cup raw almond butter
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp grated ginger root
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Sea salt & black pepper to taste

In a bowl whisk almond butter, olive oil, water and lemon juice until you receive smooth dressing. Adjust liquids if necessary. Add ginger and garlic. Mix well. Add salt to taste.

Herb dressing

• 1 cup minced medley of fresh herbs: dill, parsley, cilantro, basil
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp lime juice
• Sea salt & black pepper taste

In a bowl mix herbs, spring onions and garlic. Add olive oil and balsamic. Mix gently. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Here is a list of salads from restaurants that contain MORE calories than a plate of pasta or hamburger!  http://www.livestrong.com/blog/10-restaurants-salads-deceptively-high-calories/

Pinterest has an amazing selection of Raw Salads – check them out!

Here is a link to some of my favorite RAW summer salads!

Spinach Salads are one of my favorite salads!

Remember to always eat consciously and healthy!

XxOo Tasha