Which has more protein: A salad or a hamburger?
Well, the truth is… it’s a trick question. 😉
Because — it depends!
Contrary to popular belief, salads can have MORE protein than a hamburger.
And protein is super important if you want to experience a controlled appetite and an easier time slimming down.
Well, recently, I’ve been eating a super tasty Fall Harvest Salad a couple times a week.
It’s totally plant-based, but more importantly, it’s packed with protein — which can help you feel full and energized throughout the whole day.
More on that in a second… but first, I want to share this easy salad recipe, that’s perfect for hitting your health goals with ease.
If you’re looking for a healthy lunch with tons of protein, then look no further than this recipe:
Maggie’s Protein-Packed Fall Harvest Salad
Makes: 2 servings
Salad ingredients:
- 1 can of chickpeas, drained
- 1 cup of quinoa
- ¼ cup of dried cranberries
- ½ large apple, chopped
- ½ cup of pumpkin seeds (AKA pepitas)
- 2 cups of chopped kale (or leafy green of choice)
Dressing ingredients:
- 2 tbsp of olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp of cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed.
- Toss dressing ingredients in a small mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Top salad with dressing. Serve and enjoy.
Between the chickpeas, quinoa, and pumpkin seeds, this salad comes in at 17 grams of protein per serving.
That’s 5 grams more protein than most fast-food hamburgers!1
Impressive, right?
Now, a friend of mine suggested baking the chickpeas in the oven to give them crunch if you have time, which sounded tasty…
But to be honest, one of the reasons I LOVE this recipe is because it’s so quick and easy to make.
All you have to do is toss everything together, and you have an instant filling, nutrient-packed seasonal salad…
No cooking required — just delicious, simple flavors of fall.
Oh, and of course plenty of protein too, perfect for keeping those pesky junk-food cravings at bay… and fueling your body with hearty nutrition for hours on end.
Enjoy!
SOURCES:
1 Hamburger: Our Classic Burger | McDonald’s. Mcdonalds.com. https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/product/hamburger.html. Published 2022. Accessed October 6, 2022.