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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask what you have in your massive salad

113 replies

Carinattheliqorstore1 · 05/03/2025 12:29

I’m trying to lose weight. I need to reduce sugar and carbs and increase fibre and protein. I don’t eat meat/poultry and have an egg allergy.

To make this easier on me, I have been sticking to salads for lunch, basically random stuff from the fridge. I’m just looking for some inspiration of stuff I can buy in my shopping and just add to salads. So far I have been trying.

himmus
baba ganoush
salad leaves
carrots
peppers
cucumbers
beetroot
olives
edamame beans
quorn fillets
pesto and lentils
mozerrela
cheddar
chickpeas

OP posts:
OnlyHerefortheBiscuits · 05/03/2025 12:51

Add some salted nuts and a little grated smoked red fox cheese.
A salad needs dressing. three things: Olive oil, apple cider vinegar, little bit of dijon mustard. shake it in a small pot, make it fresh each time

It'll make the salad satisfying and you won't go sniffing for anything else.

User415373 · 05/03/2025 12:48

I always have grated courgette and red cabbage in mine.
Recently been trying to add more 'fermented' stuff so sourkraut, picked red cabbage etc.

Millymoonshine · 05/03/2025 12:48

What dressings do you all use?
I do olive oil and lemon but would like to try something different.

5128gap · 05/03/2025 12:46

Name a fruit or veg, fridge, freezer or tinned and I'll stick it in there. With one portion of protein and one portion of carb. Yesterday I had spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, spring onions, tinned sweetcorn, red pepper, pomegranate and some tinned pineapple chunks, with a handful of peanuts and a small jacket sweet potato. I put a little mayo on the salad, but sometimes I'll put garlic, ginger and soy sauce, eith some crunchy toasted garlic on top, or balsamic and mixed herbs.

jollygoose · 05/03/2025 12:46

Am also trying to lose weight and whilst I know this thread is about salad thought I'd give a mention to fresh protein soup which I have been buying in Tesco. The ministrone is fabulous and very filling.

Darkclothes · 05/03/2025 12:42

Adding nuts or seeds can help add fibre, add nutritional and helps keep you fuller for longer

-Beetroot, feta, walnut salad
-Paneer salad https://searchingforspice.com/marinated-paneer-salad/
-Som tam https://www.seriouseats.com/som-tam-green-papaya-salad-5208332 If you can't find green papaya near you, grated carrot, celeriac or grated kohl rabi can be substituted
-https://www.eatingwell.com/bhel-puri-inspired-salad-8645205

Marinated paneer salad

Have you tried paneer in a salad? Healthy and tasty, this marinated paneer salad is a different way to serve paneer but just as tasty. 

https://searchingforspice.com/marinated-paneer-salad/

CurlewKate · 05/03/2025 12:42

But seriously....have you tried a few chickpeas? Lots of chopped herbs. And I like some tinned pineapple in mine, but I suspect that might be a minority opinion.

Seeds. You can toast them to make them crunchy. Dukkah is good too.

ppaaWWss · 05/03/2025 12:42

Add some nuts and seeds in. Toast them - makes a massive difference to the taste.

sunflower seeds
pumpkin seeds
flaked almonds
pecans
walnuts

I just had a salad with blue cheese and pecans and it was great.

also
roasted butternut or sweet potato
roasted peppers
quinoa
massaged kale (massaging with oil and salt reduces the bitterness and makes it texturally nicer too)
dried fruit like cranberries etc
drizzled tahini and pomegranate molasses

i'm a cliche, but I do really love a massive salad

theyreallyaredicks · 05/03/2025 12:41

Sometimes I need to keep it really simple as have no time to think about it - have a jar of homemade basic french dressing in fridge, today I just grated half a courgette, carrot, added watercress and cherry tomatoes, put dressing on, munched.

Could have added beans or chickpeas had I thought about it.

Can I just add this was not my entire lunch! had some scrambled eggs as well. Just wanted to get some veggie portions in early in the day and 'stuff in a bowl, dressing on top' is quickest way to do that when wfh.

Snowpaw · 05/03/2025 12:39

I love those jarred artichokes in oil, or olives.

CurlewKate · 05/03/2025 12:39

Well, I always have lots of leftovers from my tiny chicken after feeding 6 people at the weekend.....

InMyMNEra · 05/03/2025 12:38

Not always together but peppers, lettuce, cucumber, red onion, cherry tomatoes

CerealPosterHere · 05/03/2025 12:36

quorn pieces
sticky rice
cucumber
pepper
avocado
edamame beans
grated carrot
maybe some feta