The Strangest Toppings People Put On Their Salads
Many of us enjoy salads because they’re refreshing and light on the stomach. They’re also healthy. Well, depending on what you top your salad with. From marshmallows to meatballs, beef jerky, and hotdogs, a new study has found how people are showing their creative taste when it comes to their salads, along with what the “perfect” salad looks like. But they aren’t always healthy!
A poll of 2,000 people commissioned by BrightFarms and conducted by OnePoll in celebration of National Salad Month revealed the strangest salad toppings people have used before. Some answers included banana, peanut butter, peppermint, and popcorn.
They found that most people gravitate towards the classics for their salads. The best toppings were found to be cheese (42%), tomatoes (37%), bacon (30%), croutons (28%) and cucumbers (27%). Additionally, the best salad dressings are ranch (50%), Italian (30%), and Caesar (25%).
For 61%, the real “main character” of salads is the greens. But let’s be real, what’s a salad without those? The best of which were romaine (46%), iceberg (44%), spinach (32%), spring mix (30%) and crunchy green lettuce (26%).
It’s All About Quality with Salads
The study revealed salads are “most enticing” depending on their dressing (56%), quality of lettuce (42%), toppings (40%), and the harmony of different flavors (20%). Over half (57%) said the level of freshness was the biggest factor in how appetizing a salad is. In fact, 78% said they’d refuse to eat a salad when the vegetables have turned soggy.
Over half (55%) admitted having lettuce turn unexpectedly soggy has caused them to eat something less healthy instead.
Four in five (82%) said they’ve had lettuce in their refrigerator go bad faster than they expected it to and 61% of them have had to make an extra trip to the store as a result.
Results also found the popularity of salad as a weekly meal option and the habits people have developed when eating it. Seventy-eight percent of respondents eat at least two salads per week, and the average person will eat salad leftovers for up to two days after being made.
Over half (53%) would also consider pasta salad as a type of salad, though many did not agree with other similar common food arguments. For instance, 55% do not consider hotdogs to be sandwiches and a mere 4% prefer their pizza cold. Over a quarter (26%) also believe they could turn any type of sandwich into a salad.
Respondents were roughly even divided on where they preferred to eat salads. Forty-six percent said they’re more likely to eat salads while dining out, citing restaurants are more creative than what they make at home (43%), it tastes better when someone else prepares it (34%) and it takes too much time to prepare salads at home (26%).
Meanwhile, 48% said they prefer to make their salads at home. Salad-makers said they prioritize freshness (73%), taste (46%), and crunch factor (37%) when purchasing lettuce.
And 73% believe lettuce grown and packaged closer to where it’s sold is fresher than lettuce grown and packaged further away.
Take a look at the complete survey results here.
