Salads are a refreshing meal option during the hottest days of summer. However, not all salads are healthy or satisfying. The most common mistakes we hear as dieticians from Veterans are too many high-calorie or high-fat additions and not enough healthy carbohydrates or lean proteins to make the salad filling enough for a meal.

Here are some tips for turning a salad into a balanced and substantial meal.

  1. Add some protein: Without a protein source, your salad is not likely to fill you up. Some no-cook options include drained and rinsed canned beans or canned fish, such as sardines, salmon, or tuna. Other options include boiled eggs, fully-cooked rotisserie or grilled chicken, or leftover burgers from the grill. If choosing deli meats, try leaner options including reduced sodium turkey, ham, or trimmed roast beef.
  2. Vary your veggies: Many salads from fast food restaurants contain lower-fiber vegetables such as iceberg or romaine lettuce, onions, and tomatoes. Fiber is filling. Try adding higher-fiber vegetables, such as bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, sugar snap peas, or cabbage.
  3. Don’t forget a healthy carbohydrate: My favorite carbohydrates to add to salads are beans (yes-they have protein AND carbohydrates), fresh fruits (think apples, pears, berries), quinoa, brown rice, corn, or leftover sweet potatoes. These will add texture and flavor to your salad. They are also healthier and a more filling option than croutons or crackers.
  4. Choose a healthy fat, but not too much: Oil and vinegar based dressings are more heart healthy than creamy dressings, like ranch and Caesar. Check the refrigerator aisle or the produce section of your grocery store for yogurt based (lower-fat) versions of these creamy favorites. Other heart healthy options include a small handful of nuts or seeds, or a few slices of avocado. A small sprinkle of cheese works too!

One Veteran in the MOVE program at our VA lost over 60 pounds while still dining at fast-food restaurants most weekdays. He replaces the fried chicken with grilled, skips the salad dressing, and brings his own toppings, such as garlic powder, canned beans or canned vegetables and a fruit cup to complete the meal.

Looking for recipes? Check out this cookbook (download the PDF), which has salad and dressing recipes. If you are taking Coumadin/Warfarin, consult with your PACT registered dietitian before changing your green vegetable intake. To learn more about this or any nutrition-related topic, contact your local VA and ask to speak with a registered dietitian.


Michelle Hyman is a MOVE! Program registered dietitian based at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare system. In addition to face-to-face group and individual counseling, she enjoys using telephone and video technology to help Veterans reach their nutrition and health goals.

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

2 Comments

  1. Michelle McPhatter August 29, 2017 at 21:09

    I like this idea, and it can be cheaper than you think….beans, frozen vegetables, peanut butter, and buying vegetables weekly so they don’t go bad if you don’t eat them right away can go a long way!!! Thanks VA move and healthy kitchen programs….tried both. Must admit, I liked the kitchen better…actually mixing, cooking and eating the food were great hands-on experiences.

  2. Richard Mogavero August 28, 2017 at 21:58

    Great ideas but I can’t afford to eat like this.

Comments are closed.

More Stories