Strawberry Salad

It may seem surprising to add strawberries in a salad, but the combo of salty and sweet is unbeatable!

Strawberries are a delicious fruit full of lots of nutrients. Most obviously, they are a fruit so they contain tons of vitamin C, which is super important for overall immunity and to fight infections. Vitamin C itself is an antioxidant, antihistamine and an enzyme cofactor for collagen, neurotransmitters and hormones. Strawberries contain a number of different flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer properties, as well as helping to protect the heart. Strawberries also have manganese, which is a mineral necessary for bone formation as well as metabolisation of amino acids, cholesterol and glucose. They also have ellagic acid, which is a type of phytochemical. It has been demonstrated that ellagic acid can protect our cells from free radical damage and reduce the risk of cancer.

Strawberries are number 1 on the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen list, which means they are the most exposed to harmful pesticides, so aim to purchase organic strawberries!

Feta is a Greek cheese that is commonly used in salads for it's salty, briny flavour. It's got tons of calcium, which is important for maintaining healthy bones, and it also has vitamin B12 which we need to help our bodies make energy.

This is a vegetarian salad so you may be wondering where the protein may be. It's in the hemp seeds! They are packed with protein, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp seeds also have a number of health benefits, like reducing inflammation, improving neurological health and containing antioxidants. They're a great source of fiber, which makes this salad even more filling. They also have lots of other nutrients, like potassium, magensium, calcium, iron and zinc.

Using apple cider vinegar in this salad adds a nice bit of zing, and you can get all the incredible health benefits of ACV! It has a ton of benefits like increasing insulin sensitivity, which is important for those with or at risk of diabetes. It also has been proven to help heart health, as it reduces cholesterol levels. ACV also has some antibacterial properties, which makes it helpful for when you have a sinus infection or a sore throat. It's also great for liver detoxification and skin irritations. ACV also has lots of non-dietary benefits, like killing body or foot odor (just rub some on the smelly area!) and can help clean the scalp when diluted with water!

If you recreate this recipe, be sure to post it on Instagram and tag us @lorrainekearneynutrition; we love to see you eating delicious, nutritious foods!