Salads can be a healthy lunch staple to help you meet your daily vegetable intake. You can easily carry your salad to work in a reusable container or even a glass jar. However, fatigue is natural if you eat the same thing day after day. These premium additions will turn this appetizer into a complete, hearty meal that tantalizes your taste buds and keeps you feeling full and satisfied all afternoon.
Why you should eat more salads
The main reason to eat more salads is that they provide a lot of nutrients for relatively few calories. Plants contain key nutrients that humans need. Of course, you can supplement, but eating a brightly colored salad means you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs while enjoying a delicious meal.
Plus, fresh fruits and vegetables contain more than just nutrients. They are also rich in various prebiotic fibers that nourish the gut.
Scientists have discovered links between the gut microbiome and a variety of chronic diseases, including mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Salad add-on category upgrade
What exactly is a “salad”? The dictionary defines it as a mixture of raw or cooked vegetables. It is usually based on field greens, spinach, or one or more varieties of lettuce. Other popular salad green options include:
- chili
- onion
- carrot
- cauliflower
- broccoli
- radish
- celery
- cabbage
- tomato
- cucumber
- corn
You can add variety to your salad game simply by adjusting the ingredients you add to the vegetable base, modifying the vegetable varieties, or both—the options for mixing and matching are nearly endless. However, it’s best to divide add-ons into the following three categories.
1. Protein
Salad protein can be either plant-based or animal-based. Here are some common add-ons in this category:
- beef strips
- chicken strips
- tuna
- salmon
- nut
- seed
- beans
- beans
2. Fruit
Are you struggling to eat the rainbow because you’re on a budget? Here’s a pro tip. Stock up on dried fruits in a variety of colors and add them to salads. One package can last several weeks. It doesn’t go stale like the fresh stuff, and you only need a sprinkle to make a big difference. Consider the following points:
- blueberry
- black currant
- wolfberry
- cherry
- cranberry
- mango
- pawpaw
- pineapple
3. Cereals and Starches
People crave carbohydrates because they provide readily available energy and create a feeling of satiety. Try the following plugins:
- Quinoa
- Couscous
- brown rice
- Grilled Sweet Potatoes
4. Delicious dairy products
Finally, cheese pairs well with almost any salad, adding a bit of creaminess to balance out the crunch. Those who embrace a vegan lifestyle can find alternatives made from cashews and other plant-based substances. Shredded cheese is a popular choice, as are crumbled feta or blue cheese and sliced Parmesan cheese.
5 Advanced Salad Add-ons to Beat Salad Fatigue
There are many ways you can beat salad fatigue. Use the five combinations below as-is, or add your own unique twist to create a new lunch combo.
1. Steak, onions, Gorgonzola cheese, walnuts and apples
Hearty Steak Salad is a complete and hearty meal that’s sure to satisfy even the behemoth with big biceps after a hard day at the gym. However, it is a delicious treat for anyone. For the best experience, choose high-quality beef, such as Wagyu, for added health benefits.
Wagyu beef contains 30% more conjugated linolenic acid (CLA) than competing brands, which can reduce body fat deposits while improving immunity.
2. Mango, papaya, jalapeno, ground flax and cashews
This is a delicious tropical salad packed with extra ingredients that those with a uterus may crave especially during this time of month. Papaya contains papain, which acts like reproductive hormones and can promote muscle contraction and relieve menstrual pain in some people.
Chili peppers and flax seeds are two main ingredients in the seed cycle. Practitioners of this Ayurvedic tradition say you should start using both medications on the first day of your menstrual cycle.
3. Sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds, goji berries and coconut flakes
Do you want to add an Asian twist to your salad? Try these add-ons to add a touch of flavor from the other side of the world to your lunch.
Lycium barbarum has long played an important role in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Practitioners appreciate them for their ability to enhance vision, strengthen the liver, and conserve energy.
Chia seeds are an incredible plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids, the healthy fatty acids your body needs to keep your heart and brain healthy.
4. Pistachios, roasted sweet potatoes, cranberries, cherries and croutons
If you can’t wait for Thanksgiving, let it inspire your salad pairings. Roasted sweet potatoes keep in the refrigerator for three to five days, making this recipe an ideal way to use up leftovers. A pistachio, cranberry and crouton “stuffing” rounds out the mixture, and if you eat meat you can of course add roasted or ground turkey.
5. Salsa, black beans, corn, jicama and tortilla strips
Travel south of the border with these premium salad add-ons. This recipe is almost like tacos in a bowl, and of course you can add leftover ground beef if you like.
Jicama and corn add necessary crunch and coolness, especially if your salsa of choice is a little fiery. Add a little olè to your midday meal.
High-Concentration Salad Add-ons
It’s understandable to get bored if you eat the same thing day after day. However, with so many possible variations, it’s easy to beat salad fatigue by making a different twist on this classic dish every day. The right additions can transform this traditional side dish into a hearty meal that will satisfy your craving for fresh flavor while providing your body with the nutrients it needs throughout the afternoon.
