Poll - Do you always eat a salad?

[funnybone]

I don't think a dinner is complete without a salad, for me anyway. I love a great, green salad with lots of vegetables and a nice vinaigrette. Anyone out there feel the same??

[sneezles]

I, too, love a great salad (especially if someone else has made it http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif ). Sometimes I eat so much salad that I don't have room for the rest of the meal! But I don't always serve one at dinner if there will be other veggies being served.

[chefbec]

I always serve some type of vegetable, but it's not always a salad. I just had a great salad today. I took some lettuce, red cabbage and grated carrot, then added some avocado and canned red salmon. French dressing on top. Quite tasty and a great lunch. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[cchhbb]

Almost always. I started this a few years ago and have noticed it helps me with my weight. I do fall off the ladder occassionally. After a few days, I start to crave salad. I hadn't had a salad since Saturday and today I craved it. DH and I went to look at new washers and dryers and then to lunch today. I needed salad. We went to Olive Garden and I ate so much of the salad I just boxed my entree up and took it home. It will be great tomorrow for my lunch.

[JJ40]

I enjoy salads but have noticed in the past few months that my (ahem) GI system isn't taking too kindly to greens. As a result, I haven't made salad in a while.

I miss salads! Does anyone know anything about greens upsetting your digestive system, and how to avoid/alleviate that?

Julie

[Sara Emily]

Another salad FANATIC signing in! Although my salads are not always GREEN ones, I usually eat a salad of SOME sort every day - leafy, bean, carrot, mixed veggies, rice and veggies, etc. The possibilities are ENDLESS!!!

Julie, as we age, our digestive systems don't handle certain foods as well as they used to, and you will find this true with an increasing number of foods as life progresses. It would be a SHAME to lose out on the benefits of those fine, nutritious items simply because they cause some level of discomfort! This is where adding more probiotics, (You might want to check out the recent thread on this!) friendly bacteria, to your system becomes important (for example, yogurt with live cultures) AND when I find that a certain food begins to become difficult to process for me, I simply take 2 to 4 (depending on how MUCH of it I am going to eat!) charcoal tablets beforehand. They are available from your pharmacist, have no side effects, and absorb the excess gas your system produces in trying to process something it has begun to find challenging. This rally works, and ensures that you can keep "downing" those legumes, lettuce leaves, etc. without worry, so that you can still benefit from all their fine flavors and nutrients! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Actually lettuce is OFTEN the FIRST such food mentioned that some people begin to have trouble with as your digestive system slows down. Apples, beans, cooked green peppers, and very high fiber cereals are others that MAY follow as the years continue to pass.

You may want to give this a try and see how it works for you. Many people use Beano to deal with this and I used to, but discovered two things - first of all, the charcoal seems to do a better job for my DH and me AND the Beano actually breaks down some of the proteins, altering their form and rendering a small amount of (I think the SOLUBLE) fiber less useful. Although this is in no way dangerous, the charcoal seems to me a nicer and more natural alternative.

[aggie94]

Like sneezles, I much prefer the salads that someone else makes me! I find that I always have salads when I eat out, or I'll pick one up for lunch when I haven't packed anything. Sadly, though, I don't make salads at home very often, unless it's DH's favorite salad. I make that one pretty often, but just for him since I don't like it.

[Wendy w]

I usually have one about 97% of the time!

[Pat]

We love salads; well, I probably like them better than DH. I have one usually five days out of seven. As others mentioned, I begin to CRAVE a salad if I don't eat them frequently.

We have to eat at dinner meetings that my DH must attend on an average of one or two times a week and sometimes the food leaves something to be desired. If I have a choice, I will usually ask for a large dinner salad rather than eat overcooked vegetables, dry poultry, or some other kind of tough, dry meat prepared for a large group. I just wish I could take my own salad dressing--then I could endure that after-dinner talk!

[Mbart]

This is just another one of those positive benefits from this BB...I definitely eat more salads, usually one/day. I love spinach salads with feta cheese and currants, among other random vegetables tossed in. And I have recently made salads from bulgur and vegetables, and am loving it! I made that Mexican bulgur with jalapeno/citrus vinaigrette and it is so wonderful...filling but also light, if that is possible!

[emilycat]

I actually don't eat salads that often -- probably about three times a week, and it's almost always an arugula salad with vinaigrette, maybe with some roasted peppers.
I enjoy them, but I tend to eat my greens wilted incorporated into a dish or as a bed of something, and I eat loads of vegetable side dishes, so salads don't make really frequent appearances on my menus. My absolute favorite, though, is an arugula and fig salad that appeared in a CL issue last summer, and as soon as those things are in season, I'll be making it all the time http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 05-24-2001).]

[elnant]

I like to have some sort of vegetable with every meal -- and it usually ends up being a salad. In fact, this morning, I made myself lunch, and I didn't have time to make a salad, so I packed some raw veggies. But it just wasn't enough. Once I started eating --I felt like I was missing something. I had to run to the grocery store next door to where I work, and make myself a little salad at the salad bar!!!!

[Tiger]

Why is it salads always taste better when someone else makes them? LOL

[browneye]

We have salad about every other day or so. I really like them. I need to get some new ideas, however, mine are usually just mixed greens, tomato, cucumber and dressing-usually viniagrette, but I am experimenting alot of late making my own lowfat ranch, blue cheese, etc... I haven't hit on the perfect recipe yet but I'll let ya know if I do!
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[kwormann]

I feel that way about lunch. I always have a nice salad with my lunch. I figure this gives my a few veggie servings and it tastes great http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Kim

[gertdog]

My parents always, always eat a salad with dinner. But it's the last thing they serve, not the first. And it's always made with leafy greens, tomatoes, and avocado.

In the summer when we can get mesclun mix at the farmer's market we eat salad every day. In the winter I don't bother. We do always have a vegetable with dinner.

I do love a good salad. Especially greek-style, with a few kalamata olives hiding in the greens, and tangy feta in each bite.

[Mamasue]

I am not a person who loves to make salads but we do have salad every night with our meal. Because I hate making salads I buy the salad mixes that are already cut up and mixed then I add some grape tomatoes and feta cheese, etc. Unfortunately we don't eat the salad last which is actually better. Europeans eat their salad last because it helps in digestion. I also hate it when someone asks me to bring salad to their house or function....boring. I whine and ask "can I please bring dessert or something else". http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[schuh]

I love salads, especially if someone else makes one for me http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif. I have learned, however, that salad dressing is the #1 source of fat in American women's diets. Since there aren't a lot of low-fat salad dressings I enjoy, I try to do cut-up fruits and low-fat veggie dishes instead of salads about half of the time.

[crlykat]

We dont have salads to start or with dinner anymore. It seems we were too full from them to eat the rest of our dinner! We always have a veggie with dinnre though.
But when we have just salad for dinner, it's a big dinner salad with greens, beans, lots of veggies, and feta, olives, etc. So good and fills us up.

[gertdog]

schuh,
That's so interesting about salad dressing being the #1 source of fat in women's diets! I'm sure many women eat lots of salad to be healthy, not realizing that some dressings pack such an unhealthy punch.

Mamasue, I didn't know about eating salad last being better for digestion. I just thought my folks were odd. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

crlycat,
You reminded me of how much we love "main-dish" salads like the one you describe. Occasionally I come home with some great fresh greens, and then we dig through the pantry and fridge for interesting odds and ends to add. My favorite includes lettuce, tomato, garbanzo beans, shredded cheese, tofu kan, cucumber, peppers, broccoli, etc. etc. I throw in some homemade croutons and then dress the whole thing with seasoned rice vinegar (no fat!) and dig in. Love it!

[Terrytx]

We eat lots of salad. A couple of times a week that is what the DH and I will have for lunch and we have one with dinner most nights of the week as a side. And in the summer we will have a dinner salad with bread as a meal.

[Anne]

We tend to eat seasonally so late spring through fall is salad time with whatever is growing well in the garden. Late fall is cabbage and root vegetable salad time and winter is frozen veges from the summer's garden. We usually break down and buy salad fixings for holidays and special occasions in the winter when our taste buds have forgotten what really fresh salads taste like.

[ReneeV]

We love salad in our house. In fact, during the warm months, once a week we have a main dish entrée salad, usually Sundays. It could be Cobb, or Chicken Ceasar Salad or even a Taco salad.

Otherwise, even in the winter, we have a toss salad 4-5x a week. Like my Italian grandparents and parents, we eat it after the meal. This was foriegn to my Scottish/Irish/German husband, but now he prefers it this way.

I have developed a small stable of low fat dressings that I really like. I DESPISE all bottled low fat or fatfree dressings. YUCK!! But since I am always watching my weight, I worked hard on developing a few dressings that everyone in the family enjoys.
I used to use my own herbs, spices etc, but now I use the Penzey spice mixes and just love them. Anyone interested in my low fat alternatives, I'd be more than happy to post them.

Renée

[Jessica]

We usually have a salad with dinner, but sometimes it is a black-bean salad or a fruit salad--not always leafy greens. I also have a jicama slaw (vinaigrette--no mayo) that I make.
I have several low-fat dressings that we like, but I also buy Annie's brand low-fat dressings in the store. They are more expensive than other brands but taste wonderful--we like the Gingerly Vinaigrette. However, not all of her dressings are low-fat, so beware.

[BlueMoose]

I love salads, but I don't make them very often. Now if someone would make them for me.... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif .

This thread is reminding me of the "big salad" episode of Seinfeld. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[browneye]

Renee,
I would love your recipes for low-fat dressings!!
I wondered about Penzey's, and will check that out too.
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Mbart]

I second the request for low-fat salad dressings, too!

[AndreaU]

Yet another salad person here. Many times when eating out, especially for lunch, I'll order an entree salad. (Yes BlueMoose, a BIG salad!) I could probably live off of salads as I put anything & everything in them- tons of veggies, nuts, croutons, cheese, etc. A nice balanced meal- top it off with low-fat or fat-free dressing and I'm good!

[lindrusso]

Well, there have been times when I've had enough wine to be tempted to wear a salad, but I almost always just eat a salad....

[Jewel]

Seems I'm always the odd man (woman?) out around here, but I have never been a salad person. Didn't try my first salad until I was 32 years old, and didn't ever really enjoy them. Last month, during my 'Turbo Diet' I learned that I did like salads, but I had to have the 'crunchy' iceberg lettuce and I also have to have some kind of meat on it, like baked or smoked chicken. I found I love a completely nonfat dressing of Balsamic Vinegar and Lemon Juice. Very crisp, refreshing, and really enhances the flavors.

I'm ashamed to say since I completed that diet I haven't had a salad, but I think that once I start back to work next week I'll try to get back in the habit! I always fix a veggie with dinner, it's just not always a green leafy!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[sherri]

I am right there with the salad lovers, I have to have a salad with my dinner, always with basalmic vinegar and olive oil and preferably a mix of lettuce with veggies.

[olive101]

I like salad quite a bit but I prefer mesculin and it is so expensive!

I have to tell you all a funny story. There is a guy at work that used to bring really big sandwiches with what looked like 1/2 lb of meat and 1/2 lb of cheese on each one. Well, recently he has been bringing salads to work and he made the comment to someone that he was eating salad to be more healthy. Here is the funny part...he uses so much dressing! I like my salads well dressed but I witnessed him open a new bottle at the table and use 1/2 of it and it was the big bottle (I think it is 16oz)!!!! The topper is that it is full fat and cheap bright orange french! He thinks he is being healthy and he is probably ingesting 40g of fat per salad!

[Leanne]

I go through salad phases. I always have one when I'm out to dinner. Sometimes I have them twice a day everyday when I'm eating at home. But lately, I must have burned out (or lazy at the store) - hadn't had one at home in about a month. Although I still eat fresh carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc. alot - just no leafy greens lately!

[cdm]

Lets put it this way. I am doing better. One week, I made a Greek salad for lunch nearly the whole week, and I got tired of it. I love taco salad especially for dinner on a warm weekend. I did have salad today. I think what I like to do better is wash my greens, put them in a bag, and then grab a handful for a snack. I share with my dog, he loves fruits and veggies. For breakfast I always have a banana and by golly, he's right there.

[ReneeV]

Sorry All,

I haven't checked this thread for a while!
Here are my low fat dressings. Actually the vinegarette is a variation of an old Eating Well basic vinegarette that used brewed black tea. I just love this dressing!

For 1 cup of vinegarette:

5 T strongly brewed black tea or Earl Grey, cooled
5 T vinegar of choice or lemon juice
5 T extra virgin olive oil
Herbs of choice.
salt and pepper

I use the Penzey mixes. I especially like the Country French Vinegarette, but it works with any vinegarette recipe or mix as long as you preserve the 1:1:1 ratio.

Wisk all the ingredients together. Let stand about 30 minutes before using.
1 tablespoon has about 1 teaspoon of oil and equals 1 Weight Watcher point.

The original recipe calls for lemon juice Earl Grey tea and fresh parsely, salt and pepper. It also advises that you mix the ingredients with a fresh galic clove speared onto your whisking fork. Very tastey

The original article explained that somehow the tannins in the tea "fool" the palate into believing that the balance between oil and acidic ingredients is correct. Appearently, the tannins tame the sharpness of the vinegar or lemon juice without dampening their bright flavor notes. All I can say is that this is the *best* low fat vinegarette I have ever had. Much better than those made with chicken broth or apple juice. YUCK!

For 2 cups of creamy dressing:

1/2 cup of light mayo. (I use Hellmans)
1/2 cup of light sour cream (I use Breakstone)
1 cup of buttermilk or fat free Half and Half depending if you want it tangy or not.
Seasonings, herbs of choice, OR Penzey buttermilk dressing mix, (Any of their creamy mixes)

You can even use a regular creamy dressing recipe for the herbs or spices but use the above ingredients as a base. We really love this too! For those interested 1 Weight Watcher point for 2 tablespoons of dressing.

Neither of these dressings has a fakey taste or slimey consistancy that so many of the commercial light dressings contain. I love toss salad and these dressings have helped me to enjoy them and stay on a healthy eating plan.

Hope you like them too!
Renée

[luv2cook]

We may eat a salad twice a week. When we do, it's usually from a bag - for variety. Then I add red/green bell pepper, shredded carrot, egg, red onion, cheese & lowfat bacon bits and I usually throw penzy dressing on top. I try so hard to make them small and the darn things end up huge!

When we don't eat salad, i ALWAYS make sure that our dinner has veggies on the side or in it...

[Bhamdining]

I eat salads probably every other day. I hardly ever buy salad dressing any more; I got tired of the limited number of low-fat flavors available. Now I make my own. You can take just about any salad dressing recipe and make it light, substituting light, low fat or fat free mayo, sour cream, plain yogurt for creamy ingredients.

Vinaigrettes are harder to lighten up, but if you toss them with the greens instead of just pouring them on top, you'll find you can use a lot less. Use high quality olive oil, walnut oil, sesame oil (for Asian flavor), and high quality vinegars (Balsamic, sherry, wine, Asian, apple cider). You'll probably have to add a little sugar with the lighter colored vinegars, which are not as mellow as the darker ones like Balsamic. A vinaigrette can be as simple as a little oil, vinegar and salt, or you can add herbs, garlic, shallots, dijon mustard, chutneys ... just let your taste buds be your guide!

[SusanL]

I eat a salad every day for lunch and never tire of it by changing the veggies. For dinner we have been eating more wilted green leaf veggies-spinach, kale, and swiss chard - placed under our entree.
Thank you, Renee I cannot stand bottled lowfat dressings. Will try them this week!!