Spring Salads Even the Kids Will Love

Fresh and healthy eating is so important for us all. It can be difficult to get kids to eat their greens. But they need all those vitamins and minerals from all the goodness that goes into eating an array of veggies.

 

Wintertime is all about comfort food. But when the temps begin to rise, eating light is on the menu. That’s where salads come in. There are so many ways to mix up a tasty bowl, incorporating a variety of crisp and flavorful vegetables.

 

As an appetizer, side dish, or entree, a salad is a great way to bring a bounty of nutrition to a meal. The following recipes are super-healthful while being delicious. Even kids who prefer chicken nuggets to Brussels sprouts will be asking for seconds. Each recipe makes 2 servings.

 

Beans and Beets

 

Create a salad that is colorful and filling. Beans provide plenty of fiber and protein. Bright beets are sweet and vibrant. They add that eye appeal kids look for in their food.

 

Ingredients:

 

2 cups leafy greens, chopped

1/2 cup garbanzo beans

1/2 cup kidney beans

1/2 cup lima beans

2 plum tomatoes, diced

1 16-oz. can whole beets, diced

1/2 small white onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup lite Italian salad dressing

Chopped parsley for garnish

 

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients aside from the parsley. Serve in bowls and sprinkle parsley on top. Tastes great with warm pita bread.

 

Creamy Chicken

 

Many creamy salads are high in fat and calories.  But this recipe is much lighter yet just as delicious. The Greek yogurt is rich in protein and is low in fat. Nobody will know you’ve swapped out the traditional creamy ingredients for something much healthier.

 

Ingredients:

 

2 cups arugula, chopped

1 small cucumber, sliced thinly

1 small red onion, diced

2 poached chicken breasts, cubed

1 cup low fat or fat-free plain Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon chopped chives

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons lemon juice

 

Place the arugula, cucumber, onion, and chicken in a large mixing bowl. In a smaller bowl, combine the yogurt, seasonings, and lemon juice. Pour the dressing onto the salad. Mix until everything is well-coated. Serve up and enjoy!

 

Kids will love these salads and so will you. Light and luscious, these fresh dishes will please even the pickiest of eaters.

 

For more info like this, please visit All My Children’s blogs.

 

By: Melissa A. Kay