Healthy salad dressing - Diet & Nutrition Message Board

Beav · 03-31-2003, 03:12 PM

Im in the beginning stages of weight loss and need some advice on salad dressing. Ive heard there are alot of olive oil based dressings out there, but I am far from a nutrition expert at this point. About all I about salad dressing is that my beloved Ranch is very high in fat. Even the Light version that I use now is pretty high in fat. I was hoping to get some recommendations for healthy, yet tasteful, salad dressings from everyone on here who knows whats good and what isnt. As I said, I love the creamy, Ranch type dressings but realize that an alternative may be necessary to achieve my weight loss goals. Im open to anything that will help me and would like to thank everyone in advance.

auntjudyg · 04-01-2003, 07:46 AM

If you are going for low-fat, you will probably do best making your own. Most of the commercial low-fat dressing have a lot of added sugar that you would also probably want to avoid (last I looked, at least; maybe there is something new on the market).

Look for a recipe for ranch dressing and then doctor it up. Rather than mayonnaise, you could use ricotta or low-fat sour cream/yogurt.

Erniegirl · 04-01-2003, 09:45 AM

I make my own olive oil-based dressing all the time. I don't have a recipe, it's very casual, I just throw all the ingredients in a container and shake them together. I use olive oil, a splash of balsamic vinegar (red wine vinegar is ok too, although you should use a little more), pinch of oregano, pinch of basil, pinch of thyme, and garlic. Sometimes I throw other things in there too if I have them - like minced onions or other spices. You can also add water if it's too oily for you. It's quite tasty and you can make as little or as much as you want, although I will warn you it doesn't keep very well.

Hope that helps. Just experiment throwing things together and see what happens! That's how I came up with this dressing.

Magpiezoe · 04-02-2003, 06:47 AM

Hello, I like Kraft's fat-free ranch and Kraft's fat-free blue cheese. I never seem to have any time to create my own dressing. Sometimes I do take light mayo and mix it with apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar and a little sugar to taste. Just plain balsamic vinegar is good too, becaue it's not that bitey like regular vinegar. Another thing that's good and quick are fresh vegetables and a dab of light mayo mixed with a few drops of mustard on a soft torilla shell lightly nuked. (micorwaved)

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Magpie

Sehsun · 04-04-2003, 05:40 PM

I love Vidalia Onion dressing! It has 9 grams of fat in 2 tablespoons. It is really tasty! The brand that I use is Virginia Brand Vidalia Onion Vinegarette, made by the Virginia Honey Co.

Also, when I eat salads I sometimes try putting rice vinegar over my salads.....kinda bland, but super healthy because it has no fat and vinegar is healthy for you! Hope you can find a tasty & healthy salad dressing!