Not only is this dish a display of beautiful colors, but it’s also extremely nutrient-dense. This salad has everything from cucumbers to carrots, peppers to pomegranates, and seeds to scallions. And yes, I case you were wondering, those are black beans.

So, what exactly is an antioxidant? An antioxidant is a substance that removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals. This can lead to chain reactions that may damage cells. That’s why it’s so important to get your fair share of antioxidants from your food.

Antioxidant vitamins are A (fruit, vegetables, and eggs), C (fruit and vegetables), and E (vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds). We constantly hear how various berries are full of antioxidants, but did you know you can get the same (and in many instances, more) level of antioxidants from fresh vegetables? Let’s take a look at the nutrient (protein, vitamin, and mineral) breakdown of our Antioxidant Salad …

Romaine Lettuce: vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin K, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium.

Spinach Leaves: iron, vitamins A, C, and K, vitamins B1 and B6,