Avocado Walnut & Crispy Bacon Salad
Why is color important? Many fatty and caloric foods, such as dairy products and starchy carbs, are beige or brown. When there are too many of these drab colors on your plate, weight gain is almost certain.
That's because these beige foods often are high in calories and can leave you feeling hungry later. A cup of beige or brown beans can be over 200 calories….but a cup of red or green vegetables is under hundred! Add fresh greens, deep purple-reds, and bright yellow-orange to a meal, and water the nutrient content go up, while calories go down! Plus, you'll get more enjoyment from eating when there's a variety of colors and flavors on your plate.
Although these ideas may sound whimsical, they're grounded in scientific fact. Dr. David Heber, a renowned nutritional expert from the University of California, Los Angeles established the role of color in his book, "What Color is Your Diet?" So, next time you visit the refrigerator, think colorfully. And remember to mix, not match!
To get you started on the color plate here is a deliciously interesting salad: Avocado, Walnut & Crispy Bacon.
Try this delicious salad. Although the 3 main ingredients can be considered fatty, it's low in carbs and high in taste. And those fats are good for you.Â
- 7 ounces Bacon (try turkey bacon)
- 1/2 cup Walnut halves (roughly chopped)
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 6 ounces baby spinach (trimmed and washed)
- 3 roma tomatoes (diced)
- 1 large ripe avocado (halved, peeled, seed removed and sliced)
- 1 small red onion (thinly sliced)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Heat a non-tick frying pay over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes or until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside to cool.
Add walnuts to pan and cook over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes or until lightly toasted. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate and set aside
Add oil and lime juice to pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir to combine.
Combine spinach, tomatoes, avocado, onion, bacon and walnuts in a large serving bowl. Pour warm lime dressing over salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.
Serving Size 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 545kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 51.43g80%
- Saturated Fat 6.71g34%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 19mg7%
- Sodium 1313mg55%
- Potassium 731mg21%
- Total Carbohydrate 18g6%
- Dietary Fiber 5.1g21%
- Sugars 3.27g
- Protein 11.37g23%
- Vitamin A 253 IU
- Vitamin C 102 mg
- Calcium 9 mg
- Iron 20 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.