mamajava's Journal, 06 August 2012

Do you know if you're using the same types of lettuce as those you get at restaurants? Romaine? Iceberg? Spinach leaves? 'Mixed new greens'? I use Ken's Steakhouse dressing (Caesar) - they've got several low carb flavours, I think. High calorie, though. If I eat a salad, the bulk of my calories for the meal comes from the dressing. I also toss in cubed ham, boiled egg, mushrooms, shredded or crumbled cheese, and sliced up banana peppers for a bit of extra zing. I'm not a strict Atkins type, though. I'm just doing high fat, high protein, barely any carbs a day. (Averaging 10ish) 

MAN! I wish I could help you...I feel the exact opposite. I hate BUYING their stupid skimpy salads with day old dried out romaine and crap croutons I have to pick off, or chopped red onion that wasn't listed in the description. I just throw in whatever is in the fridge in there. Yellow or red bell peppers, cucumbers, maybe some shaved ham or turkey, avocado, chopped asparagus spears...who says you HAVE to have romaine? butter lettuce, arugula, spinach mix- screw it...u don't HAVE to have lettuce! Just each your 20 net carbs with non starchy veggies!!For snacks I like peanut butter, (or almond butter) cucumber slices, maybe a touch of 50/50 sugarfree jelly....protein, fiber,and a touch of sweet tooth all in 1 that reminds you of childhood!!;} 

I look at salads as a chance to be creative. Having great greens is essential, and I recommend mixing it up there. One week go for baby spinach. Another week, romaine. Then some mixed greens. It is so much easier when you can buy the bags of already washed and prepped greens. These days i have been doing the prep, because I am getting new greens each week from the farm, with our CSA membership. Once you have the greens, the possibilities are only limited by what is in your fridge and your pantry. Leftovers can be a great source of protein, or cook some extra bacon in the morning and add that to the salad, along with a cut up hard boiled eggs. I will cook up whatever eggs we have left at the end of the week, so I have them on hand for snacks or salad at lunch. Then I will chop up about 1/2 c to 1 cup of veggies. Add a sprinkling of gorgonzola or feta or parmesan. Then a great olive oil....don't skimp here....and have a variety of vinegars to use, or a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Before I eliminated nuts I might sprinkle about a tablespoon of chopped nuts, or seeds on as well. Or if I want some added fat and creaminess, I will add 1/2 an avocado cut into cubes. Lots of colors and textures. Leftover veggies can be great here, or in an omelet for breakfast, of course. There are no real rules when it comes to salad. Think about whether you want something crunchy, or savory, or salty, or even a touch sweet. Now that I don't eat any sugar or other sweeteners, I can really appreciate the sweetness in a fresh, ripe tomato. Sounds like you might be in a rut simply because you are not having enough variety in your ingredients. Go to a store with great produce, and stock up. Don't give up on the salads yet! 

Other possibilities I forgot to mention would be adding some marinated artichoke hearts, or a little bit of chopped roasted red peppers. If you have fresh herbs, like dill, or cilantro (if you like it), or even some italian parsley, it is nice to add some in with the greens. It can give it a nice vibrant flavor. 

That's so funny! I cannot stand eating my own salads--by the time I finish washing and chopping, I'm find I have lost all interest! I've starting using iceberg lettuce as the vessel in which to hold my steak tips, or chicken, feta cheese,or tuna salad (All of these I find yummy!) If you like blue cheese dressing, Litehouse dressing is great and only one carb. It is like homemade and found in the chilled produce section. Maybe this will help :-) 

I'm with gearhead on this one. I like restaraunt salads and home made salads, but I HATE the crappy things you get pre-made at the store. Yuck. BUT, to be perfectly honest though, I don't know what it is, I couldn't tell you, but my husband's salads always taste better than mine?!?! So I like HIS homemade salads but not mine?! 

To help with the dressings... If you live near a wegmans, they carry this olive oil infused with lemon that is a 0 carb dream. 

Boy, I would really love to admit that my salads aren't creative enough, but they are! I dress them up with so many different things, hoping at some point I'll love one and walk away from lunch a happy girl. :) I throw on meats, various cheeses, other colorful veggies, etc. I honestly think it's the idea that the book said I HAVE to eat a salad each day. I think what might help is if I go 2-3 days without salad, and just stick to those juicy & crunchy, raw, non-starch veggies. I'll see what happens from there. Thanks for all the help, everybody! 

Sounds like you came up with the perfect solution mamajava! 

I get awfully tired of salads too no matter how I dress them up, so I feel you on that mamajava. I get my dressing from Whole Foods, they have organic dressing there that's 2 carbs per tbsp and I often find a tbsp is enough. I also LOVE chili, but it's even more delicious on top of a salad with a little sour cream, kind of like a taco salad without the chips :)