“Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.”
Genesis 9:3 NIV
10 Reasons Why You Should Start Meals with a Salad (new)
- Aids digestion: Eating a salad before a meal can help stimulate the digestive system, making it easier for your body to digest the rest of the meal.
- Increases fiber intake: Salads are typically high in fiber, which can help promote regular bowel movements and lower cholesterol levels.
- Promotes satiety: The fiber and water content of salads can help you feel fuller for longer, potentially reducing the amount of food you consume during the meal.
- Adds vitamins and minerals: Salads are often made with a variety of vegetables and fruits, which can provide a wide range of vitamins and minerals essential for optimal health.
- Lowers calorie intake: Starting a meal with a salad can help reduce overall calorie intake, especially if the salad is low in high-calorie toppings like croutons or cheese.
- Increases water intake: Salads are typically high in water content, which can help keep you hydrated and promote overall health.
- Boosts immune function: The vitamins and minerals in a salad can help boost immune function, helping your body fight off illness and disease.
- Promotes healthy skin: The antioxidants found in many salad ingredients can help promote healthy skin, reducing the risk of blemishes and wrinkles.
- Reduces the risk of chronic disease: Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, like those found in salads, can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
- Adds variety to your diet: Salads can be made with a wide range of ingredients, allowing for a lot of variety in your diet and helping you get all the nutrients your body needs.
It’s less about the salad and more about establishing a healthy intention at the beginning of your meal.
Starting meals with a salad sets the intention of “healthy” for the rest of the eating session and works great when combined with intermittent fasting.
When trying to stay very lean, I’ll eat salads like this with a tortilla and some nice protein (grilled or fried chicken breast, shrimp, bacon). Tastes great and easy to prepare.