The Best Ingredients to Make a Superfood Salad

Anyone can make a salad, but if you’re tired of your usual salad routine, try changing things up a bit to rekindle your love for salads again. Better yet, add some of these superfood salad ingredients, which not only taste great, but also will help keep you full and energized. Best of all, these ingredients can be found at any supermarket and won’t break your food budget. Together, they create an incredible vegan superfood salad that’s sure to nourish you for hours on end!

1. Dark Greens

Don’t reach for that iceberg lettuce just yet — when it comes to greens, it’s time you embrace the darker side of things. I like a mix between shredded kale, romaine, arugula, baby Swiss chard, and baby spinach. Toss these together to create the perfect salad foundation full of phytochemicals, chlorophyll, iron, B vitamins, zinc, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. Plus, if you’re a fitness fan, dark greens might even give your workout a boost too!

2. Slivered Almonds

I like a little crunch with my salad but instead of going for croutons, I reach for slivered almonds. They provide just the right touch of sweet and heartiness all at the same time. They’re also rich in Vitamin E, protein, fiber, and magnesium.

3. Artichoke Hearts

Have you ever had artichoke hearts on a salad? They’re incredible! They’re much easier to use than cooking whole artichokes and you get more bang for your buck. I suggest buying them canned in water and rinsing them before using. They have a slightly sweet and salty taste that offer a nice change of pace than a traditional pickle. Artichokes are high in fiber and they aid in liver detoxification — no pricey cleanses needed!

4. Basil

Basil offers a powerful punch of flavor and immune-boosting properties. Add just a couple of basil leaves to your salad to add a boost of chlorophyll and natural anti-viral properties. Basil (like all herbs) helps to clean out your entire body and improve your overall health.

5. Roma Tomatoes

Technically, you could use any tomato you like, but Roma tomatoes have less seeds and in my opinion, offer a much sweeter taste than their larger counterparts. Grape tomatoes are a nice stand-in as well. Tomatoes offer Vitamin C, potassium, and the powerful anti-cancer antioxidant known as lycopene.

6. Shredded Zucchini

Zucchini is higher in Vitamin C and potassium than cucumbers, so it makes a great stand-in for your regular salad cucumbers. Zucchini also has a high water content, just like cucumbers do, to help you stay full and hydrated. Plus, you can use the leftovers to make raw pasta to get your fill of this versatile veggie.

7. Lemon Juice

One of my favorite tricks to use instead of salad dressing is the juice of a whole lemon (and even a lime if you want). This adds a ton of zesty flavor without the need for dressing at all. Lemon juice is high in Vitamin C and it aids in daily detoxification of the liver.

8. Avocados

Avocados help provide the “meat” to this salad, so feel free to use a half since this salad could stand in as a meal. Try mashing your avocado half into the salad and toss to coat with the lemon just like dressing.

9. Black Pepper

Surprised by this one? Black pepper is actually phenomenal for you. Not only does it offer flavor, but it boosts the metabolism and contains nutrients that improve mental focus and fatigue.

10. Red Bell Peppers

To add a final touch of sweet and savory, add some sliced red bell peppers to your salad. Just one pepper has 330 percent of your Vitamin C requirements and has 4 grams of fiber. Not to mention, red foods like peppers are some of the best for you and your health. Take advantage of them through this delicious option!

Next time you build a salad, make it worth your time and make it a superfood salad instead! Other great options include: apple cider vinegar, a dash of mustard for flavor, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, shredded carrots, and even chopped sweet potatoes. Need more salad inspiration?  Check out this 5 Step Guide to Make Vegan Super Salads.  What’s your favorite thing to put on a superfood salad?

Lead image source: 5 Step Guide to Making Vegan Super Salads