You might be tempted to think that salads are skimpy meals that will leave you hungry all the time. But if you're balancing your ingredients properly, that's simply not the case, according to Bonnie Balk, a registered dietitian. "Although you may not view salads as a 'hearty meal,' they can be more satiating than many other food choices," she told The List. "Besides the vegetables, if your salad includes a protein and complex carbohydrate, it has the key nutrients that promote feelings of satiety and prevent you from overeating." She stressed that portion control is essential, so don't go crazy with the quinoa.

That satiated feeling is mostly thanks to our good friend, fiber. "Mainly, the fiber found in the vegetables, beans, and whole-grains (i.e. brown rice, quinoa, etc.), absorbs water and remains in the stomach longer, thereby creating a feeling of fullness," Balk continued. "The more fiber-filled meals you have, in addition to protein and healthy carbohydrates, the less likely you are to overeat at your next meal."