Tired of eating the same salad, day after day? An easy fix: Try experimenting with new ingredients, which is a great way to sneak in extra nutrients and help prevent food boredom. Here are a few alternatives to typical salad fixings, recommended for all Phases of the South Beach Diet, which can turn your next salad into a healthy meal:

• Choose a darker, more nutrient-dense green, such as baby spinach, arugula, or a spring mix, rather than iceberg lettuce.
• Opt for squash, eggplant, artichoke, and zucchini grilled with a touch of extra-virgin olive oil, instead of (or in addition to) more traditional ingredients, like tomatoes and cucumbers.
• Try avocado or olives for a touch of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.
• Toss in grilled salmon, tuna, shrimp, or even tofu, rather than grilled chicken.
• Top with pecans, sunflower seeds, or another more exotic nut or seed, instead of buttery white-bread croutons.
• Make your own salad dressing with a mix of extra-virgin olive oil, mustard, balsamic vinegar, and garlic. Store-bought dressings are fine, too, as long as they don't contain more than three grams of sugar per two-tablespoon serving.

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