6 Reasons Why Salads Are Good In Summer

Salads for summer : Among the foods we eat in heat, salads are the best as they can be anything that you want them to be. You can choose from the ingredients you want and make it your own recipe. And in the time of such unbearable heat, no one has the will to eat the hot and spicy food that ends us feeling hot inside. Hence, salads become the best alternatives that are refreshing and healthy at the same time.

On a hot summer day, a cool crisp salad is all one wants to get the essential nutrients, fibres, and hydration. There are many excellent options for salads for summer. Here's a short list of the easiest ones to toss in a bowl.

Watermelon Feta Salad

Toss chopped watermelon, mint leaves and some feta cheese into a bowl and give it a shake. Your salad is ready.

Chicken Salad with Greens

Simple grilled chicken (warm or cold) with greens, and chopped tomatoes is delicious. It's optional to add salad dressings.

Berry Salads

Depending on your local produce, berries are a great source of anti-oxidants in your meals. Leaves and radishes may be added. Dressings are optional since berries are full of flavour and add a burst of tang to the meal.

Pasta Salads with many options

Whatever veg you may have can liven up a pasta salad. Often eaten cold in summer, a mild feta dressing with a lot of different vegetables makes the pasta salad a hearty bowl.

But what is it so important to have salads in a meal or as a meal? Here's a list of benefits of salads that are a must-know in summer:

1. Helps in managing weight

As the calorie intake is very less when the salad is consumed, one is less likely to gain weight. No excess carbs make the diet healthier. Further, the fibers and water content cleanse the body and help in gaining or losing the right weight.

2. Strengthens muscles

Protein is known to build muscular health. Hence if one adds cheese to the salad, it enriches the content of protein and in turn, the muscles grow healthier.

3. Natural source of fibre

Fiber helps to reduce LDL or 'bad' cholesterol. Adequate fibre intake helps with weight loss and healthy weight maintenance. Fibers also help in improving bowel movements. Hence, getting your daily dose of fibre is essential.

4. Builds the bone health

With the presence of nutrients like calcium and phosphorous, salads are also known to improve bone health.

5. Makes the immune system healthier

It is said that one way to check whether the diet is healthy or not is to see whether there are all the colours on the plate. Eating from a variety of colours (mind you, natural colours of fruits and vegetables) ensure the intake of antioxidants that boost the immune system.

6. Betters the eyesight

Salads contain large amounts of vitamin A, carotenoids, lutein  which are responsible for making eyesight healthier. These elements are also known to help both in light & dark eye adaptation and damage from high-energy light.