The Top 25 Salads to Help You Shed Pounds

POPSUGAR Photography
POPSUGAR Photography

If you're looking to lose weight, salads are bound to be a big part of your life, but that doesn't mean you need to pile on the same old toppings day after day! All 25 of these nutrient-dense salads support weight-loss goals, fuel the body, and satisfy your taste buds with their fresh flavors and healthy ingredients.

01
Thai Citrus Chicken Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Thai Citrus Chicken Salad

The combination of cabbage, carrot, and daikon in this citrus chicken salad is an antioxidant-rich trifecta! This recipe supports your digestive system and keeps your body hydrated in warmer temperatures. It's also high in protein and low in fat, carbs, and calories. In short, it's everything you're looking for in a filling salad that supports weight loss.

02
Jennifer Aniston's Favorite Quinoa Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Jennifer Aniston's Favorite Quinoa Salad

It's high in fiber, iron, and vitamin C, so you can see all the healthy reasons why actress Jennifer Aniston loves this simple quinoa salad. Think of it as a bulked-up tabbouleh, since detoxifying parsley lays the base of the greens, while a scoop of quinoa and diced avocado provide over 60 percent of your daily recommended fiber. Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top for a brighter flavor and even more detoxifying power.

03
Apple and Cabbage Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Apple and Cabbage Salad

Candice Kumai of Top Chef fame began developing this recipe on her search for a healthier version of fat-laden coleslaw. What she ended up creating was a detox and diuretic salad that stands strong on its own. Apples marry with the dynamic duo of red and savoy cabbage, combining for a fiber-filled meal that aids in digestion. The addition of fennel seeds adds to the fiber factor, plus a kick of cayenne boosts your metabolism.

04
Easy Taco Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Camilla Salem

Easy Taco Salad

If you're craving the flavors of your favorite cantina, channel them into this light yet satisfying taco salad that's loaded with fresh flavors and without all the calories and fat. To keep things even lighter, consider subbing lean ground turkey for the beef.

05
Cucumber Caprese Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Cucumber Caprese Salad

Another riff on the classic caprese comes in the form of this hydrating and refreshing cucumber caprese salad that might turn into your new go-to recipe. Higher in protein, fiber, and anti-inflammatory omega-3s, this delicious salad aligns with your weight-loss goals!

06
Black Bean and Mango Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Black Bean and Mango Salad

For a refreshing vegan recipe that's packed with protein, add this quick black bean and mango salad to your lunchtime rotation. With more than 13 grams of fiber and nearly 17 grams of protein, this light, clean, and potassium-rich dish will support your goals, refuel your body after a tough workout, help you rehydrate, and even help soothe sore muscles.

07
Baby Kale Chicken Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Baby Kale Chicken Salad

If you want to get on the kale bandwagon but aren't a fan of the leaf's strong taste, baby kale is your new best friend. The young leaves are mild tasting, much like spinach, but still pack the same nutrients as their older counterparts. This easy baby kale and sesame chicken salad makes for a flavorful and protein-rich lunch that will keep you satisfied all afternoon.

08
Spicy Sweet Potato Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Spicy Sweet Potato Salad

High-fiber sweet potatoes in this spicy salad recipe can regulate blood sugar and help you lose weight, while a spicy, antioxidant-rich red pepper and jalapeño dressing ties everything together.

09
Salad-Stuffed Avocado
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Salad-Stuffed Avocado

Eating the rainbow at lunch has never tasted so good! Offering 60 percent of your recommended fiber for the day, this antioxidant-rich rainbow salad supports healthy digestion and will keep you feeling full and energized. Chopped tomatoes, peppers, and radishes are tossed in a spicy lime dressing then neatly tucked into a halved avocado for a pretty presentation.

10
Kale and Quinoa Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Kale and Quinoa Salad

Toss your grape tomatoes and blueberries into an Asian-inspired kale and quinoa salad with sesame soy ginger dressing and sliced nori. It has the perfect blend of healthy fats, protein, and fiber for a filling meal.

11
Flat-Belly Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Flat-Belly Salad

Made with fiber-rich Bibb lettuce, this flat-belly salad gets an extra boost from every ingredient tossed into the mix. From the monounsaturated fats from the avocado and almonds to the chia seeds in the dressing, every tasty ingredient in this satisfying vegan salad helps fight belly bloat and supports healthy weight loss.

12
Lemony Toasted Quinoa and Cabbage Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Lemony Toasted Quinoa and Cabbage Salad

This lemony toasted quinoa and wilted cabbage salad is the perfect recipe for any clean-eating endeavors; not only do the flavors meld well together, but each ingredient helps aid digestion, like the fiber in the quinoa, chickpeas, and cabbage and the detoxifying properties of lemon.

13
Potato and Asparagus Salad
Gen Y Foodie

Potato and Asparagus Salad

Your next potluck hit: this potato and asparagus salad, which keeps things healthy by bulking up with veggies and switching up the calorie-laden traditional dressing.

14
Taco Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Taco Salad

The homemade cilantro-lime dressing gives this taco salad a fresh and zesty flavor. The layered ingredients also offer almost 25 grams of both protein and fiber. This is a great dinner when you need something fast after a hectic day: prep in advance and store in your fridge for a ready-to-go dinner that keeps your goals in mind.

15
Lemony Toasted Quinoa and Cabbage Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Lemony Toasted Quinoa and Cabbage Salad

Each ingredient in this lemony toasted quinoa and wilted cabbage salad aids digestion, making it an ideal recipe for clean-eating adventures. Quinoa, chickpeas, and cabbage are responsible for the high fiber content, while the detoxifying properties of lemon and the digestion-supporting dollop of Greek yogurt are added bonuses for your body (and taste buds).

16
Strawberry Avocado Salad
Running to the Kitchen

Strawberry Avocado Salad

An interesting array of produce goes into this fiber-rich strawberry avocado salad: avocado, strawberries, and kiwis are all tied together with a honey-lime dressing. The avocados are high in monounsaturated fatty acids, which can help diminish belly fat.

17
Tomato Fennel Salad
Gen Y Foodie

Tomato Fennel Salad

Heirloom tomatoes are paired with crisp, spicy fennel in this Summer tomato fennel salad. Throw in some protein-rich chickpeas, and you've got a well-balanced and filling lunch.

18
Rainbow Quinoa Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Rainbow Quinoa Salad

This beautiful veggie-packed quinoa salad screams Summer! A bowl of this gluten-free goodness is under 350 calories, offering 13 grams of protein and seven grams of fiber. Any vegetarians or vegans looking for a protein-rich recipe to support weight loss will fall hard for this salad.

19
Tropical Arugula Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lauren Hendrickson

Tropical Arugula Salad

For a fruit salad recipe that can stand alone as a lunch, try this easy pineapple and arugula salad that can help beat belly bloat. The ingredients are seasonal with a tropical flair, plus the simple vinaigrette is light, healthy, and versatile.

20
Moroccan Couscous Salad
Gen Y Foodie

Moroccan Couscous Salad

This Moroccan couscous salad makes a great main dish for vegans and omnivores alike. The whole wheat Israeli couscous paired with chickpeas ensures plenty of protein, while the apricot, pistachios, and spices give it a uniquely Moroccan flavor profile.

21
Cabbage Hemp Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Cabbage Hemp Salad

If you're on the hunt for a quick and tasty detoxifying recipe that supports digestion, this crunchy cabbage and hemp salad is for you. Hemp seeds are a great source of anti-inflammatory omega-3s and vitamin E for vegans and vegetarians, and the combination of the cold-pressed oil and seeds in this recipe gives this fresh and fiber-rich salad a nutty flavor you'll love.

22
Bento Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Bento Salad

Burn more fat with a delicious Japanese lunch? We're in! This beautiful bento salad is full of good-for-you, fiber-rich, and hydrating produce like cabbage, daikon, and avocado, and the green tea in the dressing works to boost your metabolism.

23
Roasted Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Roasted Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad

Make your lunch extra fiber-licious and filling with this sweet potato and quinoa salad. Beyond being loaded with fiber to help move things along, those roasted sweet potatoes can help regulate your blood sugar and help you lose weight.

24
Raw Pad Thai Salad
Oh She Glows

Raw Pad Thai Salad

Veggie noodles are all the rage for good reason! They can cut major carbs from just about any recipe. This raw rainbow pad thai subs in zucchini noodles for extra flavor and crunch.

25
Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Salad
The Fit Cookie

Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Salad

Fresh, bright flavors like cilantro and lime beg to be enjoyed, and who doesn't love fiber-filled quinoa? Try this cilantro-lime quinoa salad, shared with us by The Fit Cookie.