Healthy Spring Salads Featuring In-Season Vegetables

pring is a wonderful time to enjoy fresh and flavorful salads with seasonal produce.

Not only do salads make for a satisfying and light meal, but they can also be packed with nutrients to help keep you feeling healthy and energized. Incorporating salads into your diet is a great way to increase your intake of important vitamins and minerals, which is especially important as you age.

Here are three delicious and nutritious spring salad recipes to try:

1. Sweet and Tangy Strawberry Spinach Salad

This salad is not only visually appealing, but also loaded with nutrients! Spinach is a great source of vitamins A and C, while strawberries are high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Almonds provide healthy fats and protein, and feta cheese adds a delicious tangy flavor.

Let's dive into this quick and delicious recipe:

Ingredients:

• 6 cups of baby spinach
• 1 pint of strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1/2 cup of sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese
• Balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, toss together the spinach and sliced strawberries.
2. Sprinkle the sliced almonds and crumbled feta cheese over the top of the salad.
3. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette dressing and toss to combine.
4. Serve immediately.

2. Rainbow Grilled Chicken Salad

This salad is a complete meal with grilled chicken and a variety of colorful vegetables. Bell peppers are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, while zucchini and yellow squash provide fiber and potassium. Mixed greens offer a variety of vitamins and minerals, and the chicken provides a good source of protein. Here's how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of mixed greens
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 yellow squash, sliced
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Directions:

1. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and brush with olive oil.
3. Grill the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
4. While the chicken is grilling, toss the sliced vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
5. Grill the vegetables for 3-4 minutes per side, or until tender and slightly charred.
6. Once the chicken and vegetables are done, let them cool slightly.
7. In a large bowl, toss together the mixed greens, grilled vegetables, and sliced chicken.
8. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette dressing and serve.

3. Zesty and Creamy Citrus Avocado Salad

This salad is both refreshing and nutritious. Oranges are a great source of vitamin C and fiber, while avocado provides healthy fats and potassium. Mixed greens offer a variety of vitamins and minerals, and the cilantro and red onion add a flavorful kick.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups of mixed greens
• 2 oranges, peeled and segmented
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup of chopped red onion
• Lime vinaigrette dressing

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, toss together the mixed greens, orange segments, avocado slices, chopped cilantro, and chopped red onion.
2. Drizzle with lime vinaigrette dressing and toss to combine.
3. Serve immediately.

Incorporating these salads into your diet is a great way to increase your intake of important nutrients.

By using fresh and seasonal produce, these salads offer a range of flavors and textures that are sure to satisfy. Additionally, incorporating salads into your meals is a great way to add variety to your diet, as they can be customized to your liking with different toppings and dressings. Remember to choose a variety of colorful vegetables and fruits to ensure you are getting a diverse range of nutrients. Give these spring salads a try and enjoy a delicious and healthy meal.

Learn More:

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• Bean Salads with Pizazz