The Bella Hadid salad is trending on TikTok - two nutritionists share their take on her go-to

If you're on TikTok, by now, you'll likely have seen the Bella Hadid salad doing the rounds. 

The model stole the show at this year's fashion weeks, walking an impressive 19 shows and making headlines around the globe with that stunning Coperni spray paint moment. 

Now, similar to the Jen An salad that went viral a few months back, one of her go-to meals has made headlines, garnering thousands of posts under the hashtag #BellaHadidsalad. Many fans and foodies alike have even shopped the ingredients themselves and attempted to make the salad at home. 

So, what do two of our go-to nutritionists think of what's reported to be one of the model's go-to meals?

Two nutritionist's share their take on the viral Bella Hadid salad

A bit of background, first: it's a mix of rocket, red pepper, cucumber, avocado, and parmesan, and is dressed with a mix of salt, lemon juice, olive oil, and balsamic. 

 So what do the experts think? 

According to Ardere nutritionist Lauren Windas, the salad contains a wealth of whole food ingredients which are simple, easy to prepare, and delicious. Win, win, win.

"It's high in fibre and antioxidants from the vegetables, healthy fats from the olive oil and avocado, and offers some protein from the parmesan cheese (which is also virtually lactose-free for those of you with lactose intolerance)," she shares. 

@thesaladlab

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Award-winning nutritionist Michaella Mazzoni agrees, adding that there are some great components to Bella's salad, particularly for hormonal health. "The dressing has a base of olive oil which is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, great for both skin and hormone production," she explains.

Not only that, but the vinegar supports insulin sensitivity - crucial for steady energy and supporting hormone levels - and the avocado and peppers provide vitamin E, another key staple for skin health.

That said, she does point out that the salad is lacking in protein - a key macronutrient for satiety and keeping yourself full. So why is this important? Well, while there no "good" or "bad" foods, per se, all foods have things they do and things they don't - for example, boost your vitamin and mineral levels, give you energy, or keep you fuller for longer.

Opt for a meal that's low in protein and you'll likely end up feeling hungry again after an hour or two, shares the expert. "An addition of lean protein like grilled chicken, fish, beans or chickpeas would help to make it an even more nutrient-dense and balanced meal." (Read our guide to vegan protein sources or team MC's favourite protein powders, here). 

Sprinkling with sunflower or pumpkin seeds is also a good idea, as these help support both your estrogen and progesterone levels, she adds.

Windas agrees, and her advice for levelling up the salad to make it more nutrient-dense is the same as Mazzoni's - look to pair this salad with some more protein such as chicken, fish, lentils, egg, or tofu to keep you fuller and energised for longer.

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Are trending celebrity recipes good food inspiration? 

Good question.

2022 has seen increasing interest in how our favourite stars build their healthy lifestyles, with everything from celebrity workouts to what they snack on hitting the headlines.

But does this trend inspire people and make healthy living more appealing and accessible, or does it encourage a "copy and paste" approach, rather than working out what works for you?

As a Health Editor, I think a bit of both. While it's always great to take inspiration for healthy living from our social media apps, it's important to remember that what works for you won't work for others, so working out what your body responds well to is key.

So there you have it. A nutritionist-approved salad to add to your recipe rota. Will you giving it a go?