Waldorf Yogurt Salad

The substitution of yogurt for the more traditional mayonnaise in this Waldorf Yogurt Salad recipe is an excellent variation for two reasons. Firstly, it vastly improves the nutritional content of the salad. Secondly, it imparts a wonderful tangy flavor that brings a modern twist to this classic dish. The Waldorf Salad was first created in the late 1800s at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City. Many variations have evolved over the years, but the salad usually contains apples, celery and walnuts as its main ingredients.

Grapes are commonly added to Waldorf Salads and add a nutritional punch in the form of a good dose of antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutritional compounds that support the human body to repair itself from the damage of stress and exposure to toxins that we experience in every day life. Make sure you leave the peel on your grapes for maximum nutritional benefits, not that most of us have time to sit around peeling grapes anyway. Grapes also contain a variety of other micronutrients that have a vast array of health benefits.

Celery has long been prized by dieters because of its extremely low calorie and high fiber content. A whole cup of chopped celery contains only sixteen calories, zero fat and only one gram of sugar. Fiber helps us feel full and satisfied so we are less likely to snack in between meals. Celery also contains high levels of vitamin K, which is important for blood clotting. Because celery is approximately ninety five percent water, it is also excellent for maintaining hydration on those hot summer days.

Walnuts are another healthy addition to your Waldorf Salad. High in protein, fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids (yes, those are the GOOD fats), walnuts are packed with nutrition. Walnuts are a nutrient dense food, in a serving of walnuts there is lots of protein, healthy amount of fat, manganese, B vitamins and a good source of dietary fiber. They do pack in a number of calories as well, so walnuts should be used sparingly if weight loss is a goal for you.

The unique addition of Greek yogurt to this Waldorf Salad recipe not only decreases the calorie count by eliminating the need for a mayonnaise dressing, it also adds the nutritional benefits of being high in protein and low in fat. If you choose an organic, low fat, probiotic yogurt you will further increase the nutritional benefits from this exceptional health food.

This site is created by Kellie a self-taught home cook. She enjoys cooking and spending time on weekends trying out new dishes and recipes. One of her favorite things to do is cook tasty dishes and have people over for dinner. Her guilty pleasures are sushi and coffee. Don't worry though she never eats them together. She is not a vegetarian (she loves bacon),she does like to make a lot of vegetarian recipes. When she is not blogging, she likes to travel and play Skeeball.