Enjoy this reduced fat, low-calorie version of fast-food taco salad. Warm the beans to add flavor and think about adding a little ground chicken or turkey. Four ounces of meat add only about 70 calories per serving. Although the carb content may seem high for a salad, the carbs are mainly from the beans, which are a rich source of folic acid and fiber.

Ingredients:

4 cups lettuce, torn into pieces
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 small cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 cup pinto beans, drained of juice
2 oz. baked tortilla chips, broken into pieces
1/4 cup salsa
2 T reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

In a salad bowl, mix together the vegetables, pinto beans and tortilla chips. Add the salsa and stir gently to blend. Top with 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese.