Which has more protein: A salad or a hamburger?

Well, the truth is… it’s a trick question. 😉

Because — it depends!

Contrary to popular belief, salads can have MORE protein than a hamburger.

And protein is super important if you want to experience a controlled appetite and an easier time slimming down.

Well, recently, I’ve been eating a super tasty Fall Harvest Salad a couple times a week.

It’s totally plant-based, but more importantly, it’s packed with protein — which can help you feel full and energized throughout the whole day.

More on that in a second… but first, I want to share this easy salad recipe, that’s perfect for hitting your health goals with ease.

If you’re looking for a healthy lunch with tons of protein, then look no further than this recipe:

Maggie’s Protein-Packed Fall Harvest Salad
Makes: 2 servings

Salad ingredients:

• 1 can of chickpeas, drained
• 1 cup of quinoa
• ¼ cup of dried cranberries
• ½ large apple, chopped
• ½ cup of pumpkin seeds (AKA pepitas)
• 2 cups of chopped kale (or leafy green of choice)

Dressing ingredients:

• 2 tbsp of olive oil
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp of cumin
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed.
2. Toss dressing ingredients in a small mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
3. Top salad with dressing. Serve and enjoy.

Between the chickpeas, quinoa, and pumpkin seeds, this salad comes in at 17 grams of protein per serving.

That’s 5 grams more protein than most fast-food hamburgers!¹

Impressive, right?

Now, a friend of mine suggested baking the chickpeas in the oven to give them crunch if you have time, which sounded tasty…

But to be honest, one of the reasons I LOVE this recipe is because it’s so quick and easy to make.

All you have to do is toss everything together, and you have an instant filling, nutrient-packed seasonal salad…

No cooking required — just delicious, simple flavors of fall.

Oh, and of course plenty of protein too, perfect for keeping those pesky junk-food cravings at bay… and fueling your body with hearty nutrition for hours on end.

Enjoy!

SOURCES:
¹ Hamburger: Our Classic Burger | McDonald’s. Mcdonalds.com. https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/product/hamburger.html. Published 2022. Accessed October 6, 2022.