Greek food has been around for centuries and has remained one of the healthiest and most delicious cuisines globally. Their dishes are so good that Greeks use only the freshest local ingredients, such as Mediterranean vegetables, fish and meat, and grains. Because they only use fresh ingredients, you can guarantee that Greek food is packed with nutrients and benefits that do wonders for your body.
Some of the most common Greek foods are moussaka, taramasalata, gyro burgers, and more. But a Greek dish that you’ll see everywhere, and not only in Greek restaurants, is the Greek salad.
The Greek salad has been a staple Greek dish for centuries. It’s well-known inside and outside Greece because of its flavors, freshness, and health benefits. Although it’s been around for years, and many countries have made their twist of the salad, Greek salad remains one of many people’s go-to salads.
If you’re one of those people who can’t get enough of Greek salads, good for you! If you’re one of the curious ones, keep reading. In this article, we’ll share all the benefits you get from Greek salads and why it’s so good for you. Let’s get to it!
What are the benefits that I can get from eating Greek salad?
What you’ll find in a Greek salad are tossed greens, feta cheese, olives, cucumber, red onion, tomato, and a generous drizzle of olive oil. These ingredients come together to create a healthy dish that you can incorporate into your diet because these components are rich with vitamins and minerals; no wonder people always have this on the side when they order gyro burgers and more!
Let’s break down each component of the Greek salad and discuss their benefits:
- Vegetables
The bulk of what makes a Greek salad are the vegetables in it, such as leafy greens, onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes, making it a low-calorie and nutrient-packed dish you should include in your diet.
Salad greens provide you with the right dose of vitamin A and C, potassium, and iron. On the other hand, tomatoes supply about 15 mg of Vitamin C and 1,499 IU of vitamin A. Besides that, you’ll get a healthy dose of potassium and fiber from cucumbers and red onions.
- Olives
Black or Kalamata olives are healthy sources of unsaturated fat, which helps reduce your risk of getting heart diseases. Additionally, when you eat the right amount of olives, it helps lower your blood cholesterol and neutralizes free radicals that may lead to cancer and chronic illnesses.
- Feta cheese
A major ingredient that injects bold flavors and nutrients are crumbles of feta cheese. A moderate amount of feta cheese in Greek salads supplies you with 6 g of fat, 140 mg of calcium, .82 mg of zinc, 120 IU of vitamin A, and traces of magnesium and B vitamins.
- Olive oil
The most common Greek salad dressing is olive oil. Olive oil is packed with vitamins and has antioxidant properties to help prevent damage and even revert cancer-causing ultraviolet radiation as it fights bacteria.
Its high levels of unsaturated fat reduce the risk of heart disease and high cholesterol, helping maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve broken down the components of a Greek salad and what makes it so delicious and healthy, you should start incorporating this dish by having it with your gyro burgers and more. If you want to start eating healthy, you can begin with Greek salads because everything you’ll need for your body is in this dish!
If you’re craving gyro dishes, head over to George’s Gyros Spot restaurant in Chesterton, Indiana. We serve the best Italian beef, Polish dogs, Chicago dogs, Gyro burgers, and more. Place your order today!