When you’re hungry after or between workouts, salad is probably the last thing on your mind. Although your personal trainer in New Jersey will likely remind you that salad provides essential nutrients while being low in calories, most people think of salads as unsubstantial, and uninspiring.
Salads don’t have to be boring, and they don’t have to be frugal. Here are two simple salad ideas that will actually fill you up, and provide an adequate amount of protein to repair muscle and prepare you for your next workout or boot camp training session.
Classic Chicken Breast Salad
Steam or stir-fry your chicken in a non-stick frying pan. You could even bake chicken breast. Chicken is high in protein and low in fat, so it will keep you full for a long time.
For the vegetables, use lettuce, sliced red onions, and cherry tomatoes. Top the salad with croutons, cracked black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and a small amount of canola oil mayonnaise. Toss everything together and top it off with a sprinkling of dried or grated parmesan.
You can add vegetables to change the recipe, with the key ingredient being the chicken. It is low in carbs, so avoid adding too many, and stay away from unhealthy oils, excess sodium, or pre made salad dressings.
Steak Salad
Salad is often made with poultry and fish as the protein source, so it can be nice to eat a red meat salad, once in a while. This beef salad is loaded with protein and iron to provide you energy after lunch.
You will need a flank steak with the fat trimmed. Make a simple rub of salt and black pepper, and apply it to the steak. Next grill the steak to your desired wellness. You can cut the steak into thin 1cm strips and rest it while you prepare the salad.
Make the salad with romaine lettuce, sliced tomatoes or small cherry tomatoes, cucumber (filling and rehydrating), sliced red onion, and shredded carrot. Toss it all together, and add your dressing. You can make a vinaigrette with white vinegar, cracked black pepper, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
Mix the salad and place the steak strips on top. You can finish the salad with some crumbled cheese, such as blue cheese or aged cheddar.
Whenever you’re making salads, keep carbs to a minimum and avoid fat laden toppings. With some creativity, you can enjoy salads that keep you full, and they’ll taste delicious too.