Crunchies in my salad--- need ideas

[ParsleyPatch]

I'm eating more mixed baby greens for salads now. I'm also eating fewer nuts. Before, I liked to top my salads with lightly toasted sliced almonds or pumpkin seeds. OK, I topped them liberally, but I'm an all-or-nothing type so I need to find a low-fat substitute. I know celery adds crunch, but I want something like nuts or croutons, which really ups the enjoyment factor, hence, I will eat more salad greens with them.

Maybe I have no imagination, but does anyone have suggestions? I love packaged croutons but of course they are full of salt and oil, so no joy there.

[Jenna]

What about something like this?

http://www.dolesalads.com/Products/Sala ... aw-%281%29

[Ltldogg]

I suggest you steam your favorite starch (brown rice, potatoes, etc) and then bake them in the oven slowly for a period of time. This will give you a crunch and also the healthy, energetic complex carbs.

Enjoy,
Scott

[TerriT]

I recently had a salad from a Mediterranean restaurant, and they sprinkled crumbled flatbreads over the top. If you can find a whole-wheat, oil-free cracker you might try that.

Or oven-roast some garbanzo beans until they've got a bit of crunch.

[ParsleyPatch]

These are great! Thank you everyone. I will try them.

(More ideas welcome)

[healthyvegan]

Grab a McDougall noodle soup cup (ramen style) and crumble the dehydrated noodles over your salad, that will give you some crunch You can google 'raw ramen salad' for ideas.

[chewy]

plain puffed rice or puffed corn,crumbled rice cakes are good on salads,steamed vegetables

[Katydid]

Canned, sliced water chestnuts. Delicious, crunchy and virtually calorie-free.

Kate

[ParsleyPatch]

Oh, YES! More great ideas! Thank you again fellow McDougallers. I knew I could count on you.

[JillinMI]

This is along the same lines as a previous poster wrote about toasted flatbread in the salad. I like to toast Ezekiel Bread (the sesame is my favorite), then take a cut clove of garlic and rub the cut side all over the toasted bread---thus, a sort of garlic crouton.

[ParsleyPatch]

This is along the same lines as a previous poster wrote about toasted flatbread in the salad. I like to toast Ezekiel Bread (the sesame is my favorite), then take a cut clove of garlic and rub the cut side all over the toasted bread---thus, a sort of garlic crouton.

Oh, nice idea! I'm going to do this for my next salad! Thanks!

[chewy]

how about baked chickpeas?just spread on on a baking sheet,bake for an hour at 350 .you can always sprinkle herbs on them first for added flavour. these are great and are like croutons!