4 Healthy Salad Recipes To Help Lose Weight

Salads are full of nutrition, but they don't excite most of us. Worse, while leafy greens and vegetables are great for your health, they can leave you feeling hungry again in short order.
It doesn't have to be that way! Check out these four hearty salad recipes that will keep you satisfied until your next meal:

#1: Lemony Seafood Salad

This salad combines fresh lemon juice with colorful veggies and low-calorie imitation crab meat for a great light meal.
Ingredients:

• 1 package imitation crab meat
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced thin
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced and diced
• 3 cups thinly sliced red cabbage leaves
• 3 cups thinly sliced green cabbage leaves
• 1 cup fat-free mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tsp sugar (or Stevia)
• 2 tsp white wine vinegar
• 2 tsp hot pepper sauce

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, blend the mayonnaise, lemon juice, sugar, vinegar, and pepper sauce. In a larger bowl, combine the crab meat, peppers, and cabbage. Toss with the blended dressing mixture and keep cold until meal time.

#2: Beef Filet Couscous Salad

This recipe combines hearty filet with the classic flavors of Greek cuisine.
Ingredients:

• 1 beef filet, cooked to taste
• 1 cup whole grain couscous, cooked as directed
• 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small cucumber, halved and sliced
• 6 basil leaves, halved
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
• 1/4 cup feta cheese crumbles

Directions:
Cook the filet to suit your taste. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
In a large bowl, mix the cooked couscous, cucumber, tomatoes, and basil leaves. Drizzle with the olive oil, and serve on a plate with sliced filet on top. Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts to complete the meal.

#3: Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad

Roasted chicken breast is paired with walnuts and cranberries for a heart-healthy taste sensation.
Ingredients:

• 1 boneless chicken breast, roasted and sliced
• 3 cups baby spinach leaves
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup bleu cheese crumbles
• Fat-free raspberry vinaigrette

Directions:
Roast the chicken breast until cooked throughout. Slice it into strips.
Arrange the baby spinach leaves on a plate. Sprinkle with walnuts, cranberries, and bleu cheese. Place the chicken slices on top. Drizzle with raspberry vinaigrette and serve immediately.

#4: Canadian Bacon Sweet Potato Salad

Ham and potatoes take on a new twist in this nutritious salad blend.
Ingredients:

• 1 bag baby spinach leaves
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch strips
• 1/4 pound Canadian bacon, cut in strips
• 8 oz green beans, cut in half
• 1/2 red onion, thinly wedged
• 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup light honey-Dijon dressing

Directions:
Cover serving plate with spinach leaves.
Boil one cup of water with a pinch of salt. Add sweet potato strips and green beans. Boil for approximately 6 minutes, until the potatoes are tender but not mushy.

Drain water, add olive oil. Add Canadian bacon strips and red onion wedges. Sautee with oil for 5 minutes over medium heat.

Reduce heat to low and add light honey-Dijon dressing. Stir until well-blended, and spoon the entire mixture over the spinach leaves. Serve and enjoy!

Bonus: Build-Your-Own Hearty Salad Meal

You can easily create a custom salad dish that won't leave you hungry. Just mix any of the following together, top with a heart-healthy oil or a low-calorie salad dressing, and savor the flavor!
Start with...

• Baby spinach leaves
• Romaine lettuce
• Cabbage
• Mixed salad greens

Add...

• Roasted chicken breast slices
• Lean beef, sliced or cubed
• Canadian bacon, sliced
• Smoked salmon
• Imitation crab meat
• Boiled shrimp
• Sprinkle with...
• Crumbled cheese
• Sunflower seeds
• Dried fruit
• Tasty fresh herbs
• Toasted nuts

This creation will keep you from getting bored, because it helps you indulge in a variety of flavors without devastating your diet.

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