The 5 best reasons to eat a vegetable that's been around 3000 years.

Lighten up your Thanksgiving meal with a simple cucumber salad. Slice. Coat. Sprinkle. Stir. Munch.

1. Low Calorie

An average cucumber has about 45 calories.

Simple “Sunflower” Salad: Coat with a low calorie Italian dressing and sprinkle with unsalted sunflower seeds. Add a jar of drained pimentos during the holidays.

2. Crunch

Cool cucumbers prior to use. Slice the cucumber thick so they don’t get limp and stay crunchy even when dressed.

Simple “Orient” Salad: Coat with an asian ginger dressing, 1 tablespoon Light Tamari sauce, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

3. Bulk

For something so low calorie, cucumbers can actually fill you up. They are full of water yet dense and firm.

Simple “Creamy Italian” Salad: Coat with equal amounts light Italian and light Caesar dressing (1 tablespoon each), and mix in one fresh chopped avocado.

4. Fat & Sodium Free

Cucumbers are a free food. Eat as much as you want without concern. Any fat, of course, will come from your dressings so apply with care.

Great Additions: red onion, cilantro, ground peppercorns, pimentos, chopped olives, fresh chopped basil, red wine vinegar, chopped nuts, raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds), chia seed, poppyseeds, dill, tarragon, chick peas, carrots, tomatoes

5. Nutritious

Besides being water rich, cucumbers are a good source of Vitamin A, magnesium, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and potassium. I recommend purchasing organic cucumbers whenever possible and eating with skin on. When buying conventional, wash thoroughly and peel off the thick (usually waxy) skin.

Simple “Thai Peanut” Salad: Combine 4 T red wine vinegar, 4 tsp sugar, 1 T dried basil, 4 T olive oil, and chopped unsalted peanuts. A little more of a splurge but worth it!

Need more ideas? Check out some cucumber salad recipes from a few of my favorite food bloggers!

Simple Cucumber Salad with Banana Peppers by The Edible Perspective

Refreshing Cucumber Salad with Creamy Mint Dressing by Oh She Glows

Cucumber Dill Kale Salad by Healthful Pursuit

Jerusalem Salad by VeganYumYum

And if that isn’t enough, check out Yummly Cucumber Salad Recipes and take your pick:-)

"Discipline is just choosing between what you want now from what you want most."

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