Making Healthy Changes To Food You Eat
After the carb and sugar heavy holiday season, it’s almost as if your body starts craving vegetables. It also doesn’t help that winter is upon us, days are dull and grey, and you’d give just about anything for some fresh fruit and sunshine!
And of course there is the inevitable New Year’s resolutions of getting healthy, losing weight, eating more fruits and vegetables. But how fast are those resolutions broken when you’re still busy, overworked, disorganized, and the fast food drive-thru is just that…fast?
Do you find yourself wanting easy to make healthy salad recipes?
Start Adding Healthy Vegetables To Your Meal Plan
As with all successful changes, it’s good to start small. Baby steps, working in one change at a time, until it’s routine and habit, before trying to add more. So it is with food. Make just one change at a time, like adding one salad recipe to your week, will increase your chances of sticking with those healthy resolutions.
So we’ve scoured the internet and tested out some new salad ideas. We all know my kids are picky eaters, so looking for recipes that include favourite vegetables, protein, have vibrant colour, and texture are key.
I also wanted salads that had a variety of flavour, were nutrient dense, and follow a somewhat clean eating ideal. (I’m trying to lose weight, so loading up on nutritious salads as meals is an important goal). Making sure they are easy to prepare quickly, with simple ingredients we either had on hand or with a quick stop the grocery store for fresh veggies put it on top of the list.
Making Healthy Salad Recipes Suit Your Family
And don’t be scared to change it up to suit your needs. Simple substitutions like adding shrimp instead of chicken, or try grilled tofu if you want more vegetarian options. I tried to think a little outside the box from the traditional salad greens and veggies, adding fruit, pasta, or different worldly flavours we could tie into some “around the world” theme night for extra fun!
Here’s 7 delicious, simple to make, healthy salad recipes to get you started! Pick one that you think your family will enjoy, that’s not too foreign in flavours and textures, and give it a try!
Simple, Easy To Make, Healthy Salad Recipes
Avocado Chicken Salad
While I am a big fan of avocado (hello avocado toast!), my boys have been slow to warm up to it. This recipe is a good way to work it in. I started using a bit of mayo mixed in, since that is a favourite, and made their sandwiches with bread. So far, so good, and so quick if you use leftover chicken, or grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store on the way home!
Tip: If you hate cilantro like I do, either omit or substitute parsley!
Kale Detox Salad
Crunchy texture makes this salad a winner in my books! Plus you can chop up a whole ton of healthy veggies at once, and eat this salad for lunch every day. If you don’t have fresh ginger, you could substitute powdered ginger in a pinch. Not nearly as zingy, but it still gets the job done. Add a protein like grilled chicken or cubed tofu, and make it a meal!
Harvest Salad
Apples are one of the fruits my kids never quibble about eating, so this was one of the first fast and simple recipes I tried on our quest for healthy eating. I even got my youngest to mix up the dressing with apple juice, mustard and maple syrup to get him involved!
Tip: If your kids won’t touch gorgonzola cheese, try feta, goat cheese or even a mild cheddar cubed up.
Greek Kale Salad
Another recipe that’s fast and easy, just chop and throw together! And while I like kale, my boys are slow to warm up to it. Don’t be afraid to start with romaine lettuce or a mix of half romaine, half kale. I hate tomatoes, but again, substituting chopped sweet red peppers still gives the pop of colour and the added nutrients!
Grilled Chicken Fajita Salad
I can’t wait to try this salad in the summer, when we can barbecue the marinated chicken for even more flavour! This recipe is so easy, using the recipe for the marinade and salad dressing in one! I’ve even swapped out leftover rotisserie chicken in a pinch, just grilled the peppers and chicken with part of the marinade. Not quite as flavourful, but super easy and quick!
Thai Cashew Chopped Salad
Thai food is my favourite (check out my recipe for Protein Packed Pad Thai), so I knew this recipe would be a hit! And the rainbow colours of veggies just make me happy every time I make it! This one is also easy to make a meal by adding some leftover chicken or shrimp!
Tip: Buy frozen, pre-cooked shrimp and keep it on hand for tossing in salads. Just grab a handful, thaw in a bowl under running water for a few minutes, pat dry with paper towel and add to your salad!
Orzo Salad
When you need a chance from the salad greens, this is a perfect way! Orzo just lends itself to salad. If you’re really being health conscious, and worried about carbs in pasta, try adding more vegetables and less pasta. I also like using the roasted red peppers I can keep on hand in the pantry, or if you want crunch in the summer, chop up sweet bell pepper! You can also switch it up with fresh asparagus and peas in spring instead of spinach!
Adding salads to your table doesn’t have to be hard. Salads don’t have to be just boring lettuce and dressing. Trying out different flavours, textures and ingredients in these healthy salad recipes can make eating better fun and interesting! The bonus of better nutrition and weight loss is great!
Try these easy, simple to make healthy salad recipes today! Let me know your favourite by leaving a comment below!
Like this article? You might also enjoy these…
How To Get Your Kids To Eat More Fruits And Veggies
Want to save for later? Pin it to your favourite Pinterest board!
Leave a Reply