Pasta and potato salads are staples of the barbecue-and-picnic season. Both are high in carbohydrates, but when pasta and potatoes are cooked and then cooled, some of their starches are converted to “resistant” starches, which pass through the body undigested. To be sure, the effect is fairly small, shaving only a few calories from each serving. But it’s somewhat of a saving-grace.

To really make your pasta and potato salads healthier and lower in calories, though, load them up with plenty of veggies (such as chopped peppers, onions, celery, peas), and use a dressing of low-fat mayo or Greek yogurt. Even better, use a vinaigrette. And be sure to balance the menu with some lighter sides, such as grilled vegetable-and-mushroom skewers, marinated green beans, coleslaw, or carrot salad.

Here are some great, easy to make salads and cold pasta recipes to make your summer as healthy as it is fun.

Roasted Rosemary Potato Salad

Balsamic vinegar and olive oil keep this salad light and healthy.

Southwestern Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Ground chipotle pepper powder provides the spicy kick to this unusual salad.

Italian Pasta Salad

The crunch of fresh sugar snap peas is ideal for chewy pasta.

Marinated Vegetable Salad

All the goodness of the garden helps make this salad fresh and lively.

Carrot Fruit and Spinach Salad

Fresh mango or peach slices, plus Greek yogurt, work magic here.
 

Try these other healthy summer salad recipes!

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Categories: Real Healthy | Tags: Healthy Dishes, Pasta Salad, Potato Salad, Quick and Easy Pasta Dishes, Summer Salads, Vegetable Salad
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