Refreshing Fruit Salad Recipes

Fresh fruit salad is one of those things you can eat as a side dish or a dessert. It's the perfect side dish to help satisfy your sweet tooth. Even better, it's good for you. How? Just keep reading and you'll find out.

• Promotes hearth health

One of the wonderful things that fresh fruit salad can do for you is lower your risk for heart disease. Many of the fruits contain cholesterol lowering components, dietary fiber, and lignans (these contain estrogen-like chemicals and acts like antioxidants).

• Powerful Antioxidants

Fruits and vegetables are high is cancer fighting antioxidants.

• Helps memory

Fresh fruit is ultimate brain food. It has a positive effect on our brain and helps use remember things faster.

• Fiber/Weight Loss

By eating fresh fruit salad instead of those sweet, high calories desserts, you can lose weight or help maintain your weight. An average size fruit salad contains between 80 to 100 calories and the fiber in the fruit helps to fill you up.

• Cholesterol

Fruit salad is 100% bad cholesterol free.

• Improve Nutrient Intake

Eating fresh fruit can also helps lower blood pressure and helps you maintain a healthy blood pressure level. It also contains several necessary nutrients.

• Low in Sodium

A fresh fruit salad is the perfect dish for those who are on a sodium restricted diet. The sodium level is very low.

Ingredients:

1 bag of lettuce greens

1/2 pound fresh strawberries, sliced

1/2 pound fresh blueberries

1 mango, peeled, seeded, and cut into strips

1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

1 cucumber, thinly sliced

1/2 cup raisins

1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds

1/4 cup chopped red onion

4 slices bacon

Directions:

Toss the lettuce, strawberries, blueberries, mango, tomatoes, cucumber, raisins, almonds, and onions together in a salad bowl.

Cover, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle.

Cook bacon in a skillet until crisp and evenly browned.

Crumble bacon and sprinkle over the salad.

This salad is delicious when served with a raspberry vinegrette.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup canola oil

3 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup dried cranberries

3 large red apples, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 cups fresh broccoli florets

1 cup chopped cucumber

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

In a bowl, whisk the oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, sugar and salt.

Add cranberries and let stand for 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, toss apples with remaining lemon juice.

Add the broccoli, walnuts and cranberry mixture and toss to coat evenly.

Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Toss before serving.

Ingredients:

1 bag mixed salad greens

1/2 pound fresh strawberries, sliced

1/2 pound fresh blueberries

1 mango, peeled, seeded, and cut into thin slices

1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

2 stalks celery, thinly sliced

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds

1/4 cup chopped red onion

4 slices bacon

Directions:

Mix lettuce, strawberries, blueberries, mango, tomatoes, raisins, almonds, and onions together in a salad bowl.

Cover, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle.

Do not refrigerate more than 4 hours.

ook over medium-high heat, until crisp and evenly browned.

Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate.

Crumble and sprinkle over the salad to serve.

Note: This salad is terrific topped with a Raspberry Vinegrette.

Serve with crusty French bread.

Ingredients:

•3/4 cup chopped walnuts

•1/3 cup sour cream

•1/3 cup fresh orange juice

•2 tbsp mayonnaise ( I use Hellmann's)

•3 nectarines, chopped

•3 apricots, chopped

•3 cups chopped strawberries

Directions:

To make the dressing, whisk the sour cream, juice, and mayonnaise together in a large bowl.

Combine the fruits with the dressing and refrigerate for an hour.

When serving, sprinkle with chopped walnuts and enjoy.

This makes a great, healthy snack or dessert.