by Elana Lycos, sophomore, dietetics major
When people think about eating “healthy,” a large bowl of lettuce, spinach and other green vegetables is typically the first thing that comes to mind. Yes, I’m talking about salads. It’s safe to say that salads don’t really have the best reputation for being tasty and delicious. More commonly, they’re known as the meal that only vegetable-lovers and dieters eat, which is incredibly unfortunate.
In my opinion, salads are amazing! For one, there is a wide variety of different ways to make them, so they are one of the most diversified meals on the planet. Salads don’t have to be composed of lettuce and spinach alone, or any other vegetable for that matter. If you’re feeling creative, you can put together a fruit salad, with sliced almonds or walnuts, and some kind of sweet vinaigrette dressing to top it off. There’s also taco salad, or the classic chicken Caesar. Not to mention, you can always throw together a “chef’s salad,” by mixing an array of foods that you have on hand, like hard-boiled eggs, meats, tomatoes and different types of cheese. I could eat salads every day for the rest of my life because there are so many options and tons of room for creativity.
The next time you’re thinking about dieting (if there is a next time) try not to spend too much time dreading those salads that are in your foreseeable future. I challenge you to take on a new perspective, and embrace that salad-eating lifestyle. Avoid simply tossing lettuce and ranch together and calling it a meal. Instead, wake up your taste buds by throwing together an assortment of foods. Adding some chicken to your bowl is a good way to get protein and keep your body feeling satiated for a longer period of time. The main thing to remember is that eating salads should not be associated with eating less. A salad can be a four-course meal in one helping; it’s really up to you and how adventurous you’re willing to be.
If there is any advice that I can give you from my personal experiences with salads, it would be “the more, the better.” I used to be that person who would only put spinach, carrots, and a sprinkle of cheese into a bowl before pouring on the ranch and calling it good. After a while, I got tired of eating the same old thing. This year, I slowly evolved into the avid salad-eater I am today.
I started by switching up the dressings, and discovered my new favorite: balsamic vinegar. Then I started adding a wider variety of foods to my bowl. My new go-to salad consists of peas, garbanzo beans, kale, onions, radishes, cucumbers, broccoli and almonds. Now, I am in love! I could eat this particular salad on the daily, and it is even more amazing when I top it off with grilled chicken. If you mix a greater assortment of foods together, the outcome can be a blast of deliciousness that might make you see salads in a new light.
Living on campus gives you many opportunities to create that perfect salad. Every dining hall has a salad bar, and many of the Sparty’s locations offer a selection of salads. For example, I have tried the garden, vegetable and quinoa, taco, and chef’s salad from Sparty’s. My favorite so far has been the taco salad because I love the mix of black beans, corn and tortilla strips with all the veggies (the dressing is tasty, too).
The important thing is to avoid getting caught up in the misconception that salads are boring, because how you define a salad really lies in your hands. You can eat a salad for breakfast by mixing up some eggs with sausage, peppers and cheese. Or make one for lunch/dinner, by throwing together some chicken, quinoa, spinach and other veggies. It may sound cliché, but the possibilities are endless, so take advantage of the opportunity to create something that could be your next go-to meal.