Spring Roll-Inspired Salad for Gut Health & Protein Power
Fresh, vibrant, and packed with gut-friendly ingredients, this spring roll-inspired salad is a game-changer for your meal prep routine. With high-protein tofu, crunchy cucumbers, and a burst of pomegranate seeds, it's as delicious as it is nutritious.
Hey Glow Up Girl fam! 🌟
If you’re like me, always on the hunt for meals that are as delicious as they are nutritious, then this Spring Roll-Inspired Salad is about to become your new favorite. It's a perfect mix of flavors, textures, and gut-loving ingredients that will leave you feeling full and fueled, not to mention it's high in protein—exactly what we need to keep glowing from the inside out!
The Salad Breakdown
This salad brings together the best of a spring roll in a bowl. It's got all the crunchy, fresh, and tangy flavors you love, plus the added bonus of being loaded with protein and diverse plants to keep your gut thriving.
Here’s what you’ll need:
2/5 package High Protein Tofu: Packed with 16g of protein per serving, tofu is a plant-based powerhouse that helps keep you full and supports muscle recovery. I used the high protein tofu from Trader Joe’s.
2 Persian Cucumbers: These provide a refreshing crunch and hydration, plus cucumbers are great for digestion.
1.5 cups of Broccoli Slaw: A blend of shredded broccoli stalks, carrots, and red cabbage that’s not only fiber-rich but also adds more diversity to your plate—key for a happy gut!
2 tbsp Pomegranate Seeds: These little jewels add a burst of sweetness and are loaded with antioxidants and fiber, promoting gut health.
1 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar: Helps bring out the flavors in your salad and supports digestion.
1 tbsp Trader Joe’s Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds a touch of sweetness and heat, making this salad truly reminiscent of a spring roll.
A handful of Sunflower Seeds: For an extra crunch and dose of healthy fats, which are essential for overall health.
Making Your Spring Roll-Inspired Salad
Start with the Base: Toss 1.5 cups of broccoli slaw into a bowl and mix in 1 tbsp of red wine vinegar. Let it sit while you prepare the rest.
Cucumber Time: Slice your Persian cucumbers and arrange them around the edge of the bowl. They’re not just for looks—they add a hydrating, crunchy element to every bite.
Cook the Tofu: Cut your tofu into cubes, season with salt and pepper, and cook them on a skillet until they’re golden brown. This gives the salad its protein punch.
Top It Off: Add the tofu to your bowl, drizzle with 1 tbsp of sweet chili sauce, and sprinkle on those vibrant pomegranate seeds and sunflower seeds.
Why Your Gut Will Love It
Let’s talk gut health. This salad is a diverse plant party, and the more diverse your plant intake, the happier your gut microbiome. Studies show that a varied diet with plenty of fiber-rich plants like broccoli, cucumbers, and pomegranates can boost the diversity of your gut bacteria, which is linked to better digestion, improved mood, and overall health.
Plus, tofu and sunflower seeds add protein and healthy fats to keep you satisfied and support your energy levels throughout the day. Not to mention, this salad is an easy way to get in those gut-loving probiotics and prebiotics that help keep everything running smoothly.
The Macros
For those who love to know what’s in their food, here’s the breakdown:
Calories: ~320 kcal
Protein: 24g
Carbs: 28g
Fiber: 8g
Fat: 12g
It’s balanced, it’s nutritious, and it’s delicious—what more could you ask for?
Glow Up with Gut Health
Remember, a healthy gut is key to glowing up both mentally and physically. Incorporating diverse, plant-based meals like this into your routine can make a world of difference. I’ve personally experienced the power of gut health—after years of battling mental health issues with no success from pharmaceuticals, it was a focus on diet and probiotics that turned things around for me. That’s why I’m passionate about sharing recipes like this one with you!
So go ahead, whip up this Spring Roll-Inspired Salad, and let me know how you like it. It’s a small, simple step towards better health, and I’m here for you every step of the way.
To glowing and growing, Anna 🌱✨
