Power up your salad: Turn it into a meal

As published in USA Today, power salads are getting their day in the spotlight as more cookbooks, magazines and restaurants feature combinations of nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits, lean protein, nuts and other healthful foods.

Most people consume less than two cups of vegetables and fruit a day, far below the recommended four or more cups, a recent study showed. Salads are an excellent way to help you meet your daily recommendations for fruits and vegetables.

When you are creating a power salad, you want to see as many colors of the rainbow as possible on your plate. You also should include at least three ounces of lean protein such as chicken breast, beans, salmon or eggs. Your salad doesn’t have to have lettuce as the base. Try cooked vegetables or grains.

The article also included some negative comments about the flavor and nutrition content of salad dressing. ADS staff sent a Truth Squad letter to the reporter and two experts quoted within the article correcting misinformation and encouraging them to use ADS a resource for all things condiment-related.