Salads are healthy because they provide fiber, minerals, phytochemicals, and vitamins. Salads offer the opportunity to eat a variety of colors, flavors, and textures. The different colors of produce represent a different mix of nutrients.

Most salad bars have set line items as well as seasonal and rotated items. The line-up of beans/legumes, dairy, fruit, grain, and vegetables allow you to build a super salad. You can add items from other food stations such as the deli or grill.

Building a super salad is as easy as 1-2-3.

Step 1:   Choose a base

• Beans/legumes
• Grain (corn, pasta, rice)
• Vegetable (beet, broccoli, carrot, cucumber, greens, potato, tomato)
• Tuna

Step 2:   Add variety with multiple colors, textures and temperatures

• Chewy (dried fruit)
• Crunchy (carrots, croutons, seeds)
• Hot (baked or grilled chicken or hamburger, roasted veggies, stir-fry tofu)
• Smooth (cottage cheese, hummus, soft tofu, yogurt)

Step 3:   Dress it up

• Dried Herbs (basil, cinnamon, cumin, onion powder, Italian seasoning)
• Spicy (chili/hot sauce, onions, peppers)
• Sweet (fruit, honey)
• Tangy (lemon, steak sauce, vinegar)

Ask what herbs, spices, sauces & seasonings are available.

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Salad ideas:

• Black Bean & Corn Salad with black beans, corn, red onion, dressed with olive oil, hot sauce, pepper and salt.
• Chick Pea Salad with chick peas, corn, red onion, tomato, dressed with olive oil, lemon juice, pepper and salt
• Cucumber Salad with sliced cucumbers, red onion and salt, dressed with vinegar mixed with Dijon mustard.
• Mixed Bean Salad with chick peas, black beans, kidney beans, corn, red onion, black olives, tomato, carrots, dressed with olive oil, vinegar and salt.
• Spinach and Chicken Salad with leaf spinach, red onion, corn, tomato and grilled chicken, dressed with vinegar mixed with Dijon mustard.