Tangy, salty and rich, goat cheese gives a distinctive flair to an otherwise bland salad. Salads made with goat cheese are moderately low in calories, yet high in several nutrients.

Goat cheese can be hard, soft or semi-soft cheese, but soft or semi-soft varieties are most commonly used. Goat cheese has a lighter texture and a slightly lower calorie count than many cheeses made from cow's milk.

Goat cheese can be used in place of cow's milk cheese in nearly any salad. However, goat cheese is most commonly paired with Mediterranean-style salads that contain vegetables such as tomatoes, olives, spinach, cucumbers and bell peppers.

Salad made with 2 oz. of goat cheese, 1/2 cup of tomatoes, 1 cup of spinach, 1/2 cup of cucumbers and 1 oz. of green olives contains 262 calories.

A vinaigrette made with 1 tbsp. of oil will add 119 calories to your salad. One strip of crumbled bacon will add 42 calories and 1/2 oz. of walnuts will add 96.

Goat cheese is high in protein and calcium. Vegetables such as spinach, tomatoes and cucumbers are high in fiber, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C and folate.