To think my salads are shit?

[Acunningruse]

Or at the very least, trapped in the 80s?!

We go on holiday in 30 days and I want to lose a ton bit of weight before we go so am planning on salad for lunch every day. Today I have ham, egg, lettuce, tomato cucumber and a bit of mayo. I think it'll be nice, but also like being transported back to my 80s childhood?!

The shops are full of exotic and tempting looking salads but I seem incapable of recreating anything similar at home. I tried one with chickpeas the other day and it was just chickpeas floating round my plate with a bit of onion and tomato.

What are your top homemade salads? Disclaimer I live in a very non exotic small town and do not have access to fancy delis etc.

Thanks!

37 calories in a heaped dessert spoon of greek yoghurt and 1.6g if protein. When I'm eating a bowl of vegetables, I definitely want some calories added!

Quite. Eating a low calorie diet is a recipe for hunger and falling off the diet wagon.

Not really unless you go VERY low. I was well full on 1400 and lost a kg a week.

Not really unless you go VERY low. I was well full on 1400 and lost a kg a week.

Genuinely well done. You're still an exception though. Most people simply can't and won't ever do this. It's no good basing policies and advice on an unrealistic view of what people should be able to do, when we are surrounded by very clear evidence that they can't and won't.

That looks and sounds lovely, rather than “stale bread and tomato’s” 🤣

It is absolutely not cheaper to buy ‘pre-made’ salad from the shop. I have colleagues at work who say the same thing but if you buy in-season produce then it works out at a good price. Salad leaves can go off quickly but a couple of work lunches and a side salad with dinner and it’s gone. Fruit and veg used in a salad can also be used in other meals/snacks, as can beans, meat, cheese, couscous, nuts. This is what puts people off is not thinking what can left over or quick-perishing ingredients can be used for. If you have left over chicken you can make a chicken salad. Left over couscous as a side with your dinner - chuck the rest in your salad for the next day. If I have tomatoes going a bit saggy from the one I bought for salad then I cook them up in a sauce. There’s great salad recipes online if you want to be inspired with your leftovers.

Whilst you are correct in saying they are good fats you are wrong in assuming they won't make you fat. How can you say this without knowing someone's calorific requirements coupled with what they're eating.

By your definition I could pour 50ml of olive oil on my salad and not get fat...

When in reality I've just added 400 calories.

Oils and mayo are calorie dense foods.

Yoghurt not quite as bad.

The OP is trying to lose weight, blindly adding dressings without understanding the impact on the total calorific value of the meal is not systemic in supporting weight loss.

Oil does not satiate ones appetite in anywhere near the same way as the equivalent calories in protein or fibre would.

Most people fail on low calorie diets because they eat shit food. They try to maintain their current habits on a smaller scale to stay within their calories. It doesn't take a genius to understand that if your calorie intake is made up of carbs and fats it leaves fuck all for anything else, both of which are rich in calories meaning you eat a smaller volume of food.

If your meals are high in volume, protein, fibre and vegetables there is no reason to feel hungry.

Well I see nice salad thread developed into a diet lecture. 😂
Nothing personal but... Yeah maybe it's for another thread

Even just cucumber, tomato and red onion- chop into tiny pieces and add salt, pepper and lemon. Super easy and tasty.

Gosh these responses are a bit involved. As an early response said, start with dressings. You need two thirds extra virgin olive oil to one third lemon juice / wine vinegar / lime juice / balsamic vinegar. Balsamic is a bit sugary if you’re losing weight (but delicious!). Wash out a small jam jar, and use it to shake the dressing.

Our bog standard salad at home is lettuce, cucumber and cherry tomatoes with olive oil and balsamic. To that we add avocado or feta or substitute / mix the lettuce with baby spinach, rocket or watercress.

That said, I’m saving this thread for tips!

SALAD SMASH! I like this account, she’s a nutritionist but lots of her things re relatively easy, and don’t involve mega bucks at a health food shop! Some good everyday tips x

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cy-Z-78o2NI/?igshid=MTdlMjRlYjZlMQ==