This man's cucumber salad recipes are popping off. Why the vegetable deserves its 15 minutes of internet fame.
Sometimes, you want to eat an entire cucumber — at least, so says 23-year-old Canadian TikToker Logan Moffitt (@logagm) whose feed lately is all about finding creative ways to indulge in cukes. The creator has gone viral for his cucumber salad recipes, which include toppings like kimchi, lox (for a deconstructed bagel vibe) and soy sauce.
“I have loved cucumbers since as long as I can remember, they've been my favorite vegetable since I was a child,” Moffitt, who has celebrated his passion for cukes with a video of himself jet skiing while eating a cucumber, tells Yahoo Life. “When I filmed my first video I actually just wanted a whole cucumber, and many people ended up enjoying the video so I continued to make more. After about two weeks I noticed the series really started to pop off and decided to keep going and thinking of new ideas for the cucumber salads.”
Moffitt’s not the only one on social media getting into this. His viral videos have unleashed a legion of cucumber fans, who are sharing their own favorite ways to eat cucumbers. The recipes, which include everything from California-roll inspired salads (complete with imitation crab) to dupes of your favorite Chinese restaurant’s recipes, have turned TikTok into a cucumber hot spot.
But what do nutrition experts have to say about the humble cucumber and these viral salads? Here’s what to know.
What to know about cucumbers
It’s easy to see why the cucumber salad trend is taking off. Cukes are refreshing, easy to prepare (especially if you have a tall plastic container) and can be customized in a million different ways.
Dietitian Nicole Antes (who pickled some cukes on her Instagram in September 2023) tells Yahoo Life that there’s plenty to appreciate about cucumbers. Cucumbers are full of antioxidants, which can reduce the risk of chronic disease. They also contain vitamins B and C, as well as minerals like potassium and magnesium — all of which help our bodies function optimally.
Sammie Gill, a gastroenterology dietitian, tells Yahoo Life that cucumbers contribute to hydration, since they are 95% water. Plus, what’s not in cucumbers is also beneficial: Since cucumbers are low in calories, fat and salt, you don’t need to worry much about eating too many of them, she says. Unlike veggies like broccoli and asparagus, which are made of hard-to-digest carbohydrates, Gill also says that cucumbers “can be eaten freely by those with a sensitive gut.”
The downside of cucumbers, however, is that there’s simply not much to them. Their skin (which some people prefer to peel) contains most of their nutrients. Since they’re mostly made of water, that’s mostly what you’re getting — while they do contain vitamins and minerals, they’re not quite as nutrient dense as some other vegetables, says Gill. Cucumbers are also low in fiber: 100 grams of cucumber has only half a gram of fiber, while the same amount of broccoli has 2.6 grams and brussel sprouts has 3.8 grams.
“Eating cucumbers in excess means you’re missing out on other plant-based foods that can offer key nutrients and in higher amounts,” says Gill.
Are cucumber salads healthy?
Just because cucumbers aren’t the most nutritionally dense produce on the planet doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat them — they just shouldn’t be the only fresh food you incorporate into your diet.
Cucumber salads on their own can be a healthy addition to your eating plan, though the key here is addition. A balanced meal contains fat, protein and fiber — so, if you’re trying to enjoy a cucumber salad, you need to make sure you’re getting these macro nutrients from places other than the cucumber.
Your sauces and toppings can help round out your cucumber salads so they are more satiating. Recipes that include lox or crab, for example, can provide a great source of protein, which can help keep you full. You can make sure your cucumber salads are full of healthy fats by adding in ingredients like olive oil, full-fat Greek yogurt or peanut butter.
If you’re more inclined to try your cucumber with a simple dressing of, say, rice wine vinegar and soy sauce, you’re better off making the cucumber salad a side addition to a larger meal.
Gill says that, when possible, you should make sauces for your cucumber salad at home, rather than opting for a store-bought version.
“Sauces you can buy off the shelf vary hugely in their salt, sugar and fat content,” says Gill, who recommends starting with a base of olive oil or Greek yogurt for their known health benefits. “You can then add extra ingredients depending on your preference: crushed garlic, ginger, mustard, balsamic vinegar, lemon or lime juice, honey, pepper, onion powder, chives, dill — the possibilities are endless.”
