In an effort to be healthier, I’ve started having salads for lunch. 

When I was growing up, the only green thing I ate was grapes. I hated eating anything too healthy and I certainly stayed away from salad greens of any kind. Most of the salads I’ve tried in the past included lettuce; Romaine lettuce, Iceberg lettuce, and I think this was a large part of the problem. The taste of leafy greens was something I just didn’t enjoy. I have no problem with potato salad, but that was it. 

A few friends suggested trying it out with different dressings; I’ve tried a creamy dressing, ranch dressing, red wine vinegar, and even a variety of low carb salad dressing. 

Nope, didn’t work.

As I have gotten older, I’ve realised that a fresh salad can be whatever you want it to be, there isn’t a rule that the perfect salad should have a certain ingredient. It just needs to be what you enjoy eating. Plus, I have a daughter and kids tend to pick up on what their parents do. If I want her to eat healthier, I need to lead by example. 

If you’re wondering ‘Can I eat salad on a low carb diet?’, let’s find out..

So, in the spirit of doing things the way I want to do them (anyone who knows me will be aware that I don’t tend to do what’s deemed ‘normal’), here’s my simple salad recipe if you’re looking for inspiration for something quick and easy. 

I’ve been told this may help if you’re on a low carb diet too. 

Ingredients

• Cucumber
• Red onion
• Sesame Seeds
• Cherry tomatoes
• Lime (or lemon juice if you prefer)
• Extra Virgin Olive oil
• Salt & Pepper (optional)

Utensils

• Large bowl
• Sharpe knife
• Chopping board

Method

• Dice the cucumber, red onion and cherry tomatoes into small cubes and put into a bowl
• Squeeze lime juice into the bowl and add some olive oil and a handful of sesame seeds
• Add salt & pepper, if you fancy it
• Give everything a good mix up 
• Enjoy

That’s it, just these simple ingredients and few easy steps. For someone who really didn’t enjoy eating salads, this is one of my favourites because I’m eating all the things I enjoy eating. Who needs a rule book!

A salad can be anything you want it to be. You could add hard-boiled eggs, a bell pepper, maybe green onions instead of red ones, avocado oil instead of olive oil, grape tomatoes instead of cherry ones. This could also be a great addition to your list of healthy recipes. Sometimes I have a habit of making a little too much, if that happens to you too, put some in an airtight container and eat the rest the next day for lunch. 

The best part about eating a salad the way you like it is when you’re at the grocery store and, if like me, you browse the reduced section, there may be some reduced salad items…improvise! This is a great way to be sustainable because you’re preventing food from going to waste, and you will save some money because it’s reduced too. What doesn’t want to save a little bit of money?

Another little tip, if you can, buy loose. Last thing we need is any additional unnecessary packaging. 

We’ve all been told that eating a healthy, balanced diet is not only important to our physical health but our mental health as they offer a multitude of benefits. Eating something as simple as salads is a great way to get nutrients into your body. I’m not going to sit here and preach that I’m a perfect example of this, I don’t really eat that healthily, I have a terrible sweet tooth and not much self-control when it comes to anything sweet, especially chocolate, but I am trying. 

As so many of us lead such busy lives and we’re always on the go, convenient options are usually more attractive.  

Salads are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are essential for maintaining a strong immune system and preventing various diseases. The combination of fresh vegetables and fruits in salads provides a wide array of nutrients that support bodily functions and promote longevity.

Depending on what you put in them, a salad can be an excellent source of fibre, which can help digestion and promoting a feeling of fullness, which could potentially help in weight management and prevent overeating. 

Another great benefit is that salads can help with improved hydration, as there are many salad ingredients that have a high water content; cucumbers, tomatoes etc. As our bodies are made up of water, our organs need hydration for them to function the way they’re supposed. 

And don’t forget, what I said earlier, there isn’t a rulebook on what should and shouldn’t go into a salad, it can be dependent on your taste or even your dietary requirements. 

The benefits of eating a salad extend beyond just nutrition; they support overall health, weight management, hydration, and offer a versatile and delicious way to incorporate essential nutrients into our diet.

If you’re looking for low carb salad dressing ideas, you could check out this great site. 

Looking after your physical health as well as your mental health is self-care, but it’s not always easy and it looks different for everyone.

I have personally found that one of the biggest hurdles is about identifying old habits, and creating new ones. Of course, habits can’t magically change overnight, they take time and patience, and that’s OK. 

Someone said to me that this could a good one to eat if you’re looking for Keto salad recipes. This isn’t something I’ve looked into myself so if you’re on the Keto diet, you may want to find out first.