Whether enjoyed as a side dish or a light main course, just 1 cup of leafy greens counts as a daily serving of fruits and vegetables.
Not all salad greens are created equal, however. In general, the darker the leaves, the more nutritious they are. Dark greens are usually loaded with beta-carotene and often supply far more vitamins and nutrients than iceberg lettuce.
But if crunchy iceberg is your salad of choice, don't give it the shove-off just yet. Simply combine iceberg with fresh spinach or romaine leaves to quickly give your salad a healthy boost.
Topping a salad can be tricky as many salad-bar standbys are loaded with calories, fat and even sodium. Avoid heavy cheeses, cooked egg yolks and chopped bacon. Instead, focus on completing your leafy creation with fresh veggies and reduced-fat salad dressing.
Article first published in Taste of Home's Light & Tasty magazine.
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