Salads are a great meal choice for people who are trying to lose weight and work more vegetables into their diets. But, if you feel that eating a salad for dinner leaves you feeling hungry, you’re not mistaken. If you don’t have the right balance of healthy fats, carbohydrates and proteins in your salad, you could end up hungry and eating empty calories later in the day. Below you’ll find some tips on how to prepare salads that are tasty, satisfying and filling.
Dark, leafy greens like spinach, kale and romaine are packed with fiber. Fiber is what makes us feel full, so be sure to choose salads that contain these greens. If you don’t care for spinach or kale, you can stick to iceberg lettuce, but be sure to add protein to your greens. Every salad should have good fats, good carbohydrates and good proteins like chicken.
Chicken is an excellent way to add protein to your salad and keep you feeling full longer. Protein is the most filling macronutrient because it reduces hunger hormones and boosts hormones that make you feel full. While there are different ways to get protein, like peanut butter and beans, chicken is one of the best options. It’s low in fat, calories and carbohydrates, plus it’s highly versatile. You can cook chicken in many different ways so that you never get bored with salads!
Using low-fat and fat-free dressings may sound like a good idea, but this can actually backfire. Fat-free dressings tend to be high in sugar to make them taste good, which makes you hungrier. Stick to natural dressings made from olive oil, homemade balsamic vinegar or lemon juice. Plus, these dressings taste great with grilled or crispy chicken.
Don’t drink a diet coke with your salad for the same reasons why you don’t want to eat fat-free dressings.The fake sugars mess with your insulin levels and make you feel hungrier later on. Instead, take small sips of water while you eat your salad. Also, breathe and chew - don’t rush through your meal. Just as you sit down and eat your meals when you’re out at healthy chicken restaurants, you should do the same at home. Enjoy the food you’ve worked hard to prepare!Adding chicken to your salads is one of the easiest ways to fill your stomach without consuming excess calories and fats. Visit La Rosa Chicken and Grill to try one of our fresh salads with rotisserie chicken.