Spinach is one of the healthiest foods you could eat, full of vitamin C, iron, antioxidants, and many more vital nutrients. If you’re looking to have healthier eating habits, spinach should be top of your list of things to add to your diet. We’re going to give you some great salads using this amazing green-leafy vegetable down below.
We could dedicate an entire post just to the health benefits of spinach, that’s how awesome this little leaf is. However, for today we’ll stick with some highlights before jumping in to our recipe list.
A fresh 100g batch of spinach contains about 25% of your daily intake of iron. Often if you have an iron deficiency or are eating a vegetarian or vegan diet it is recommended to eat plenty of spinach for this exact reason. There is also vitamin A, vitamin C and other antioxidants in spinach that helps to heal the body, slow the aging process and fight against various diseases, even help prevent cancer!
As you can see this leaf is small but mighty, and if you want to have more of it in your life, here’s how you can.
Spinach Salad with Raspberry Vinegar
Prep Time: 10 minutes
This spinach salad tastes amazing! The recipe calls for raspberry vinegar, which is a flavorful and refreshing alternative to traditional, oily dressing. The fruit and nuts add flavor, fiber and healthy fat.
Ingredients
- 8 cups cleaned spinach leaves
- 3 oranges, peeled, sliced and quartered
- 2 cucumbers, peeled, sliced and quartered
- 1/8 cup macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped
- 1/8 cup sunflower seeds
- 2 Tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced or whole raspberries
- ½ cup white balsamic raspberry blush vinegar
Instructions
- Combine the spinach, oranges, cucumbers, macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, and strawberries in a bowl
- Add vinegar and toss well
Nutritional Facts
Servings: 8
Calories: 99
Fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fiber: 2.6g
Protein: 3.5g
Spinach, Bacon and Egg Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Here’s a high-protein salad that is bursting with flavor and nutrients. Try the simple, homemade salad dressing – it’s much healthier than store-bought dressings, and still lends lots of flavor.
Ingredients
- 6 cups organic baby spinach
- 4 hard boiled eggs, chopped
- 6 pieces bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Juice from one lime
- Dash of pepper
Instructions
- Combine the spinach, eggs, bacon, and tomatoes in a large bowl
- In a small bowl whisk the olive oil, lime juice, and pepper
- Pour the dressing over the salad, mix and serve
Nutritional Facts
Servings: 4
Calories: 170
Fat: 10g
Sodium: 337mg
Carbohydrates: 5g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 13g
Spinach, Mango, and Red Quinoa Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Crisp baby spinach blends with sweet mango, tender chicken and a sprinkle of red quinoa in this refreshing salad. Complete with your veggies, protein and wholegrain, this salad is a balanced meal in and of itself.
Ingredients
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 small carrot, shredded
- 2 Tablespoons red onion, minced
- ¼ cup red quinoa, cooked
- ¼ cup ripe mango, diced
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced
- 2 Tablespoons lowfat salad dressing (Newman’s Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing)
Instructions
- Place the spinach, carrot, onion, quinoa, mango, and chicken in a medium bowl. Toss with dressing.
Nutritional Facts
- Servings: 2
- Calories: 248
- Fat: 4.7g
- Sodium: 301mg
- Carbohydrate: 25.5g
- Fiber: 3.4g
- Protein: 25.5g
Turkey, Mint and Spinach Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Fresh orange juice, mint, apple and grapes make this turkey salad something special. Be sure to use organic ingredients to get the most flavor and nutrients.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded roasted turkey
- 1 organic apple, chopped
- 2 organic celery stalks, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 4 cups baby spinach
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1 Tablespoon orange zest
- Stevia to taste
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Dash of salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk the olive oil, orange juice, orange zest, stevia, Dijon, salt and pepper
- In a medium bowl combine the turkey, apple, celery, mint and grapes, toss with the dressing
- Prepare each plate with a pile of spinach, top with the turkey salad mixture
Nutritional Facts
Servings: 4
Calories: 289
Fat: 15g
Sodium: 795mg
Carbohydrates: 13g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 25g
