Summer Salad

This is one of my favorite summer salads, and here’s why I call it slimming. It’s packed with volume, water, and protein, so you’ll feel full and satisfied long after eating it. And feeling full is one of the most effective tools for managing your calorie intake.

The ingredients are simple, but the payoff is big. One serving gives you 34 grams of protein and clocks in at around 450 calories.

Salad:

• 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
• 1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• ½ to 1 cup chopped turkey pepperoni
• 2 to 4 cups Persian cucumbers, sliced

Dressing:

• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup shredded Parmesan

Once plated, I like to drizzle a bit of the dressing over my serving instead of tossing the entire salad. It keeps the texture crisp and the calories in check.

Optional upgrade: top it with some grilled shrimp for a high-protein, high-satisfaction meal.