1. Eat Salads for the Fiber It’s hard to believe that something we can’t even digest can be so good for us! Eating a high-fiber diet can help lower cholesterol levels and prevent constipation. Not only that, says Barbara Rolls, PhD, author of The Volumetrics Eating Plan, eating more fiber can help you feel fuller, eat less, and ultimately lose weight. 2. Eat Salads for the Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables Many experts agree that people need to eat more fruits and vegetables (especially dark green and orange vegetables) and legumes which are all popular salad ingredients. David Jacobs, PhD, professor of Public Health at the University of Minnesota says in an email interview that there is plenty of evidence that nutrient-rich plant foods contribute to overall health. “If you frequently eat green salads, you’ll likely have higher blood levels of a host of powerful antioxidants (vitamin C and E, folic acid, lycopene, and alpha- and beta-carotene,) especially if your salad include some raw vegetables,” he adds. Antioxidants are substances that help protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. 3. Eat Salads to Cut Calories and Increase Satisfaction Carol Kamanzi, a mother and former model says; if losing weight is one’s goal, they may want to start their meals with a green salad. “Studies have shown that eating a low-calorie first course, like a green salad of 150 calories or less enhances satiety (feelings of fullness) and reduces the total number of calories eaten during the meal,” she says. 4. Eat Salads to Get Smart Fats Eating a little good fat (like the monounsaturated fat found in olive oil, avocado and nuts) with your vegetables appears to help your body absorb protective phytochemicals, like lycopene from tomatoes and lutein from dark green vegetables.
