This bright and light Strawberry Salad With Creamy Lemon Poppyseed Dressing uses crisp romaine lettuce, spinach, shallots and fresh strawberries. Dress it up with a creamy oil free lemon poppyseed dressing. Enjoy it as a fresh lunch or side dish.

Strawberry Salad With Creamy Lemon Poppyseed Dressing: Lighten Up!

Lighten up! This salad is the perfect healthy feel good spring dish. You just feel so nourished and satisfied after eating it. This is because of the fresh ingredients mixed with a zingy light oil free lemon poppyseed dressing. Here are some of the all star ingredients:

Romaine Lettuce and Spinach: These two green powerhouses team up to give you a boost of vitamin C and K folate potassium and iron. Here are some of the other awesome benefits:

May support heart health: The potassium in romaine lettuce may help to regulate blood pressure, while the folate and antioxidants may help to reduce the risk of heart disease.
May aid digestion: These greens are high in fiber, which can help to support healthy digestion and prevent constipation.
May support weight loss: Romaine lettuce and spinach are low in calories but high in fiber, which can help to promote feelings of fullness and support weight loss.

Strawberries: In addition to vitamin C and potassium, strawberries are loaded with other berry good for you antioxidants. Here is one more perk:

Strawberries can promote healthy skin: The vitamin C and antioxidants in strawberries may help to protect skin from damage caused by free radicals and promote healthy aging.

Oil Free Dressing: This is one of my favorite dressings that I make! It is so versatile and can be used not only on top of greens, but as a dip, or over pasta. It is made with all plant based ingredients such as cashews (for a healthy fat), basil, lemon, garlic, salt, pepper, and almond milk. The end result is a bright fresh, and flavorful taste that will liven up those greens and make you feel great as you won’t be bogged down by the heavy oils in other dressings.

Benefits of Choosing Oil Free Dressings:

There are several potential benefits to omitting oil from your diet, including:

Reduced calorie intake: Oil is calorie-dense, with 120 calories per tablespoon. Omitting oil from your diet can significantly reduce your daily calorie intake, which can help with weight management.
Improved heart health: Omitting oil from your diet can help to reduce your intake of saturated and trans fats, which are known to increase the risk of heart disease.
Lowered cholesterol: Consuming high amounts of oil can increase LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the blood. By omitting oil from your diet, you can help to lower your cholesterol levels.
Improved digestion: Consuming high amounts of oil can lead to digestive discomfort, including bloating and diarrhea. Omitting oil from your diet can help to improve digestion and reduce these symptoms.
Better blood sugar control: Omitting oil from your diet can help to reduce blood sugar spikes and improve insulin sensitivity, which can be beneficial for those with diabetes or pre-diabetes.

It is important to note that some fats are essential for optimal health and should not be completely eliminated from your diet. It is recommended to consume small amounts of healthy fats, such as those found in nuts, seeds, avocado, and fatty fish. Consulting with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian can help you determine the best approach to incorporating fats into your diet.

Why I Love Strawberry Salad With Creamy Lemon Poppyseed Dressing:

I love this Strawberry Salad With Creamy Poppyseed Dressing for so many reasons. This is mostly because it provides so many nutrients without weighing you down. The no-oil dressing is light and refreshing and the perfect compliment to the fresh strawberries and greens.

This salad is also fast and easy to make. I use the mandolin to slice my shallots very thin and with the high speed blender, you can blend up the dressing faster than you can shop for the calorie laden oil/preservative filled store bought lemon poppyseed dressings.

Make the dressing ahead of time to save prep if you are making this for a get together. It keeps well in the fridge for up to a week. Just give it a good stir or shake before pouring over your greens. I would not recommend keeping the dressed salad for the next day. The dressing can make the leaves wilted and soggy. Instead, store the greens, strawberries, and shallots in a separate bowl and pour over the dressing before serving.

One more thing…to save time and make make lunch and prep for dinner, simply make a double batch of the Creamy Lemon Poppyseed Dressing, slice double shallots, and save in the fridge for dinner time. Then use that to make my delicious Spring Harvest Pasta Salad. Healthy eating all day for the win!

Well then, there you have it. Let’s see how to put this lovely salad together!

~Lora