10/08/2026
Salad hacks to make nourishing yourself easier
Every lunch time I rustle up a salad from vegetables, protein, leftovers and nuts and seeds and over the years I’ve developed a number of shortcuts to stop my ADHD brain from thinking that it’s too much effort.
Here they are:
1. Sometimes it feels daunting to cut and wash a whole lettuce, and this can be enough to put you off preparing a salad. To avoid this PDA I just do it, telling my brain that tomorrow I’ve done all the hard work, as I’ll put any surplus leaves in a bag in the fridge, and tomorrow’s prep will be simple
2. I always make salad dressing in bulk. Dressing can make a salad and I can’t bear the thought of one without it. I have this handy dressing shaker, with measurements on the side and it makes enough to last me a week. My failsafe recipe is 2/3rd extra virgin olive oil, 1/3rd white wine or apple cider vinegar, 1 – 2 tsps of mustard powder and salt and pepper to season. No need to keep this in the fridge.
3. Once a week I will hardboil 6 eggs. One effort, three meals or 6 snacks. Eggs are so good for your brain – but more about that another time
4. Whilst you are boiling the eggs, make use of the steam to cook some French or broad beans to throw into your salad
5. Make sure to add in some protein to support your brain, and if it’s tinned oily fish then even better.
6. Finish off your salad by throwing in some nourishing seeds (sunflower, sesame, pumpkin) or chopped nuts, for extra good fats, fibre and protein.
And there you have it, my shortcuts to making a daily salad realistic.
What hacks do you use to make meal prep easier and avoid the powerful PDA? (pathological demand avoidance, not public demonstration of affection!)
