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Salads are a great way to eat more veggies, but greens alone do not make a satisfying meal. They'll just leave you feeling hungry. Say "bye-bye" to wimpy greens and "hello" to healthy proteins to power up your salad. Protein-rich foods like chicken, eggs and chickpeas can beef up even the simplest base of leafy greens. Protein helps to build muscles and sticks around long after you've eaten to help you feel full and energized. High-protein diets have been linked to lower BMIs and smaller waists.
Start with some greens, sprinkle in chopped veggies for color and crunch, add your protein, some whole grains, salad dressing and you're good to go. Use this list of healthy high-protein salad toppers as a guide for how much protein to add to your salad.
Cooked Chicken Breast:
3 ounces = 26 grams of protein
Chickpeas:
1/2 cup = 7 grams of protein
Black Beans:
1/2 cup = 7 grams of protein
Sliced Turkey:
3 ounces = 19 grams of protein
Cooked Egg:
1 large egg = 6 grams of protein
Cooked Shrimp:
4 ounces = 23 grams of protein
Tofu:
2 ounces = 10 grams of protein
Shredded Cheddar:
1/3 cup shredded cheese = 6 grams of protein
Salad Dressing
Don't forget the dressing! You can make your own dressing or buy a store-bought dressing with a short ingredient list.