5 Easy Tricks That Will Make You Fall in Love With Salads

Are you a “salad-dodger?” It seems like there are a lot of people out there that scream at the thought of salad. Some of us feel that salads are dry, taste-less, not filling or are for people on diets. So, I am here to convince you salad haters out there that you can and will LOVE salad. Why? Because, I was also scared of salad myself.

Growing up, salads were never sold in the school canteen. The closest we saw to salads were little plastic boxes packed with pasta in bland sauces or, rice with no seasoning at all. Naturally, over time, the thought of salad was off putting, and the closest I got to eating salad at home was having it in a sandwich. Until one day at university I decided to get healthy. My first hurdle was giving up bread. And, as I ate sandwiches for lunch everyday – I had to eat salad. And, within a few days, I fell in love with salad. I no longer thought that in order to “be full” I had to have slices of bread around it. My taste buds were tingling from all of the new flavors and textures. And, I felt less bloated, had higher energy levels and, the best of all, I lost weight. Here is what I did!

1. Add Texture & Crunch!

A great way to add dimension to your salad is by adding crunchiness. By exciting your mouth with a range of textures, you will feel like you’re not just biting leaves and the odd piece of cucumber. Sprinkle some cashew nuts, chia seeds, pomegranate, peanuts, celery or tomato on top. Try this Scented and Crunchy Asian Black Rice Salad. 

2. Go Crazy With Infused Oils

Funk up your salad leaves with flavor of a dressing. Infused oils allow you to easily add a variety of taste and texture to your salad without doing anything! My favorite infused oil has to be garlic. See how to infuse your own olive oil with herbs + spices – making them by hand will ensure that the infused oils will be less processed, cheaper and fun to make.

3. Make Your Salads Bright + Beautiful!

How can you call salad boring if it looks good? Now is the time to get artistic. Go crazy with color and make that salad look beautiful! Try this Simple Vegan BLT Salad, Protein-Packed Vegan Salad with Quinoa, Chickpeas, Lime + Cilantro or, change up your dish with the Asian flavors used in this Spicy Asian Cucumber Avocado Onion Salad.

4. Use Plant-Based Foods That Make You Full

One of the best ways of making a salad that is packed full of nutrition is by combining hydrating ingredients with complex carbohydrates. Add in filling complex carbohydrates like quinoa, sweet potato, and, butternut squash, which will slowly release energy to your cells throughout the day. Throw in cucumber, courgette, papaya, watermelon, iceberg lettuce, radishes, green peppers, spinach, tomatoes and, carrots to make your salads super hydrating! Try this Quinoa Salad With Creamy Balsamic Dressing and this Watermelon Salad.

5. Throw in Your Favorite Fruit + Veggies

Adding in your much-loved fruit and vegetables will make your salad loveable. You will begin to associate salad with feeling the pleasure of eating your favorite foods. Also, salad doesn’t have to be savory. You can throw in your favorite pieces of fruit, too.  See these 5 Rockin’ Raw Ingredients to Ramp Up Your Boring Salad, eat this super hydrating Summer Watermelon Salad, or, try out this Vegan Chik’n Salad with Cranberries and Pistachios!

Salad doesn’t have to be boring. Go to town and, you will soon start to love it. Good luck!

Image source: Simple Vegan BLT Salad