It’s summer! When the weather is warm our bodies naturally crave less heavy and dense foods and reach for more fresh fruits and vegetables which is convenient because fresh produce is locally abundant. DSANDA decided to round up a few of our favourite summer salads that bring together healthy nutrients with a punch of flavour that is sure to have your family asking for seconds.
Spinach, Strawberry & Cucumber Salad
This salad is a sweet and savoury combo with a dressing that has just the right amount of citrus. Spinach is chock-full of vitamins (K, A, C, Folate), and let’s not forget about iron (we can never get enough). Strawberries add the perfect touch of sweetness while delivering fibre, phytonutrients, and flavonoids. Cucumbers add a nice light crunch. If you don’t have nut allergies we recommend adding sliced almonds for some extra protein. You can also add goat cheese if you aren’t vegan and are looking for some extra density.
Recipe
1 bag of baby spinach
1 cup strawberries (washed & sliced)
4 baby cucumbers sliced thin
1/2 cup sliced almonds (optional)
Crumbled goat cheese (optional)
Dressing: 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 lime juiced
Reverse Pasta Salad
Sometimes you just want a little pasta which is why this salad is perfect. Traditional pasta salads load up on the pasta with just a few added veggies. Not this one! We do the opposite. Load up on veggies like broccoli, carrots, cucumber, & red onions while making the pasta the addition. Broccoli is great for weight loss because it is rich in fibre which curbs overeating and it aids with digestion. Red onion is an excellent source of antioxidants and carrots are full of beta-carotene and potassium. You can add some cubes of cheddar cheese to this salad if you aren’t vegan.
Recipe
1 cup broccoli (blanched & chopped into bite-sized pieces)
1 cup of chopped carrots
1/2 large red onion sliced thin
3 baby cucumbers sliced
1/2 cup of cooked pasta (or gluten-free pasta)
6 oz cheddar cheese cubed (optional)
Dressing: 1/4 cup of any Italian dressing you like. Mix well and refrigerate for an hour before serving.
Watermelon Mixed Greens Salad
Yes, you read right! What kid doesn’t love watermelon?! This salad will easily be a winner. The base is mixed greens (which packs in great nutrients), cubes of hydrating watermelon (which is packed with vitamin A, B6, & C), and is topped with crunchy pumpkin seeds (high in protein, essential fatty acids, and iron). Feta cheese is a nice addition to this salad if you aren’t looking for a vegan option.
Recipe
1 container of mixed greens salad
1 cup of cubed seedless watermelon
1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds
Crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Dressing: 1/4 cup olive oil and balsamic glaze drizzled over the salad before serving.
All Dressed Up for Dinner
The best part of these salads is that they look fancy without trying. Just putting them together serves up a side dish that will satisfy your eyes and tastebuds while leaving you feeling satiated. So enjoy summer, eat healthily, and wow friends and family with these recipes.
