Salads are a great meal, especially because they are vegetable based, which means a great variety of nutrition for optimal health. However, salads can be expensive in restaurants, and are often made with lettuce, which does not contain as much nutrition as other vegetables.
This heart health avocado spinach salad is made with spinach as the base instead of lettuce, which means that it is packed with nutrition. Since it is homemade, you also save money. Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients.
Avocados:
They are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, and other healthy fats that are great for the heart. Avocados are also packed with antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties.
Bell peppers:
One cup of bell peppers contains a whopping 120 mg of vitamin C, which is 200 percent of the recommended daily value. This popular vitamin is well known for its heart health properties, antioxidant properties and its ability to bolster the immune system.
Cucumbers:
They are an excellent source of caffeic acid and vitamin C, two antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties that help fight oxidative stress and reduce signs of aging. Cucumbers are also packed with water, which means better skin, better hydration, and better removal of toxins from the body.
Olive oil:
The often-called liquid gold has been recognized for many years as a potent oil. It is full of heart healthy fats, provides anti-inflammatory benefits, and has shown benefits in the area of cancer prevention.
Spinach:
It is considered by many nutrition experts as one of the most nutritionally dense foods in the world. It contains potent antioxidants for heart health.
Tomatoes:
Tomatoes have shown many potent heart health benefits, especially in the area of heart disease. They are rich in vitamin C and E, which are heart healthy. They also contain lycopene, which is believed to help reduce risk of heart attack and stroke.
Turmeric:
The superspice has antiviral, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties, and has shown benefits in the area of breast cancer prevention, cold and flu, heart health, and Alzheimer’s.
Toss the following ingredients in a bowl:
1 cucumber, diced
1 avocado, diced
1 bell pepper, sliced
2 tbsp of olive oil
2 cups of spinach
1 tsp of turmeric
1/2 of cherry tomatoes, chopped
Sprinkle with Himalayan pink salt and black pepper to taste
For added flavor, drizzle the salad with our zesty raw salad dressing recipe.
Make sure ingredients are organic and wash all produce
Enjoy this heart health avocado spinach salad!
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
For a summer detox kale salad.
Detox chickpea and kale salad.
REFERENCES:
1. “Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Spinach, Raw.” Self Nutrition Data. Self Nutrition Data, n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2015.
2. “Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Avocados, Raw, All Commercial Varieties.” Self Nutrition Data. Self Nutrition Data, n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2015.
