Spring is the season of salads. With the sun out and the weather warming up, there’s nothing that helps you kick your unhealthy winter eating habits like a bright, colorful plate of greens. But how often do you stare at a boring salad bar or walk aimlessly down the aisles of the grocery store, unsure of what kind of salad to make? Here are a few ideas to take your salad to the next level.
Note: add chicken, shrimp, tofu or another protein to any of these for an added boost.
1. Arugula, Walnuts, Pear and Goat Cheese
![](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/10/pear3.jpg)
Photo by Alex Tom
This well-rounded salad is timeless, and for good reason — topped with fruit, nuts and cheese, it’s the perfect combination of sweet, salty and creamy. It also provides a balanced dose of healthy fat and protein.
2. Spinach, Shredded Parmesan, Dried Cranberries and Avocado
![](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/03/Avocado_JuliaMaguire2.jpg)
Photo by Julia Maguire
Creamy avocado and sweet cranberry add a burst of flavor to the leafy spinach, while Parmesan cheese creates a nice finish to this iron-salad, full of antioxidants.
3. Kale, Almonds, Raisins, Beets and Mandarin Oranges
![](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/04/Breaking-Kale-Into-Pieces.jpg)
Photo by Alex Tom
Although kale is unbelievably good for you, it can taste a little bland uncooked. The addition of raisins, beets and Mandarin orange wedges boosts the taste while keeping all the nutrition. Slivered almonds help to add a little crunch and some protein too.
4. Spinach, Blueberries, Kiwi, Raspberries and Feta
![](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/03/Kiwi-Half-Scooping.jpg)
Photo by Justin Shannin
Try this colorful, healthy salad with raspberry vinaigrette to really get your fruit fix.
5. Arugula, Sweet Potato, Beets, Quinoa and Cranberries
![](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/05/quinoa51.png)
Photo by Julia Maguire
This may sound daunting to make, but you can get all of the ingredients pre-made at Whole Foods. Thanks to the fiber-rich quinoa, it’s also a healthy way to fill up for the day.
6. Mixed Greens, Chickpeas, Tomato and Cucumber
![](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/02/12425530065_04e95a55b6_b.jpg)
Photo by Hannah Lin
For those who like to keep their salads simple, nothing is more refreshing than crisp cucumber, sweet heirloom tomatoes and some yummy chickpeas.