There are a variety of ways to customize this easy meal.

Lettuce: Switch up the spinach for another type of lettuce: kale, arugula, leaf lettuce, and romaine are popular for salads, with kale and spinach being the most nutritious.

Vegetables: Experiment with different vegetables: cucumber, broccoli, squash, scallions, corn, cauliflower, carrots, radishes, and beets are all great options that can radically change the flavor. There are also a variety of types of each vegetable. For example, there are at least a dozen types of edible mushrooms that would go well on a salad.

Beans: Try different type beans. Popular options include red, kidney, lima, great northern, pinto, garbanzo, soy, and black-eyed peas. Did you know green peas are considered a bean? Yep, add some to your salad for a boost of protein and vitamins.

Nuts and seeds: Nuts and seeds are great toppings that add a crunch to salads. Popular choices are almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, pomegranate seeds, and sesame seeds.

Cheese: Cheeses are a great source for calcium and protein. But beware of the high fat content. Blue cheese, feta, parmesan, and gorgonzola are healthier choices that can really make a salad pop!

Fruit: Dried or fresh fruit adds sweetness to any salad. Give olives, cranberries, raisins, strawberries, mandarin orange slices, apple slices, banana slices, or blueberries a try.

Meat: Need some meat? Add any type of meat, including egg and fish, to make it a heavier meal. Opt for the leaner, white meat for healthier options.

Dressing: I opt for low-fat dressing or low-sugar salsa as the final ingredient to my big salads.