Salads are Great in the Fall and Winter Too!

Fall and winter is a great time to make some changes and spruce up that summer salad that you may be tired of. Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage are at the peak of their season tasting less bitter this time of year. Apples, pears, cranberries and grapes are the fruits of the season and are fantastic in salads. Slice your leftover baked chicken or turkey and add it to the mix.

There are so many dressing options. You don’t have to choose a fat free or low fat one unless you like to use a lot of dressing (more than ¼ cup). I find that if I use regular ingredients, or a regular dressing off the shelf, I use a lot less than I do if I choose a reduced fat variety. Vinaigrettes are typically lower in fat than creamy dressings. A simple oil and vinegar is nice to try for some variety also.

Salads provide a variety of choices and a fantastic punch of nutrition midday. Accompanied with lean protein and a few whole grain crackers, you can include all the food groups in one meal.