Healthy salads are a great way to increase your daily dose of fiber, feed the microbiome, and get a variety of folate-rich leafy greens and disease-fighting vegetables. Add some protein and healthy fats, and you will create an appetizing, nutrient-dense meal that is full of phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Salads can be a perfect healthy meal that’s satisfying, increase satiety so you feel fuller longer, and can help you lose or maintain your weight.
Healthy salads are easy to make too! Diversity is key, so be sure to rotate the ingredients that you use each time you make a salad. Be creative!
How to Make the Best Nutrient-dense, Healthy Salads
Start with a healthy base
Pick your green or a combination of leafy greens. Locally-grown, organic and seasonal is best. Stay away from iceberg lettuce, which is nutritionally-void
Arugula | Collard greens | Spinach |
Dandelion greens | Endive | Swiss chard |
Kale | Mustard greens | Turnip greens |
Romaine | Red and green lettuce | Watercress |
Radicchio | Mache | Tango |
“It doesn’t get any fresher than this! Organic greens and herbs for the week.”
Colorful Add-ins to boost nutrient-density
Choose as many as you like! Try new and different items that you usually do not eat.
Artichoke hearts | Asparagus, steamed and chilled | Beets |
Berries | Bok choy | Broccoli |
Cauliflower | Brussel sprouts, steamed and chopped | Carrots, grated |
Cucumber | Jicama | Figs |
Green beans | Kohlrabi | Leeks |
Mushrooms | Pepperoncini | Dates |
Pear | Red, white, green or yellow onion | Radicchio |
Radish | Purple cabbage | Red bell pepper |
Scallions | Sprouts: broccoli, radish | Tomato |
Fresh Herbs, Spices and Seasonings
Basil | Cilantro | Mint | Chives |
Dill | Dulse (iodine-rich) | Fennel | Garlic |
Moringa | Parsley | Rosemary | Purslane |
- Season with Celtic sea salt and black or white pepper
- Add some freshly grated orange or lemon peel
- Sprinkle a teaspoon or two of zesty Salad Boosters, a superfood seasoning from Living Intentions onto your salad.
Chill the mixture of the leafy greens, colorful add-ins and herbs in an air-tight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, add some healthy fats, protein and salad dressing.
Healthy Fats
- Avocado
- Olives
- Coconut flakes
- Nuts or seeds, if you’re not allergic or sensitive. Just make sure they raw, sprouted and organic. You may want to soak them for 1-2 hours first.
Almonds | Brazil nuts | Macadamia nuts |
Pecans | Pine nuts | Cashews |
Pistachios | Pumpkin seeds | Sunflower seeds |
Sesame seeds | Ground flax seeds | Hemp or chia seeds |
Protein
- Wild salmon, trout, light tuna, lamb, chicken, turkey, bacon, eggs (if you’re not sensitive to them) or your favorite meat or seafood. Pasture-raised, grass-fed, free-range, organic, wild is best.
- Sprouted beans or legumes, if you’re vegetarian. Soak them overnight first, rinse, and then cook.
Dress it up! Salad Dressings
Choose an oil or healthy fat
- Avocado, macadamia, walnut or extra-virgin olive oil
Whisk the oil with one of the following:
- Apple cider vinegar
- Freshly squeezed lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit juice
Healthy Salads: Recipes
Avocado, Grapefruit and Mint Salad
- 1 grapefruit, peeled and cut
- 1 avocado, peeled, sliced and diced
- Fresh mint
- Red onion, sliced and diced
- Celtic sea salt
Place the ingredients in a bowl. Gently toss. Enjoy!
Arugula Salad with Avocado Cilantro Dressing
- 8-10 cups arugula (you may substitute with any green of your choice)
- One bunch of cilantro, chopped
- Handful or two of fresh basil, chopped
- Handful of fresh mint, chopped
- Small red onion, sliced and diced
- Sprouted pumpkin seeds, 1/4 cup
- Grilled wild salmon or grilled chicken breasts, chopped
- Avocado Cilantro Dressing
- Season with sea salt and pepper
More Healthy Salad Recipes
- Super Easy Healthy Slaw
- Cherry, Wild Rice and Quinoa Salad
- Light and Tangy Zucchini Salad
- Tasty Beet Salad
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