Salad Dressing?

bbvsusan

I'm struggling between knowing that low cal has chemical crap in it and knowing that full fat has a lot of calories.

What do you use and why?

D_squareG

I use the Good Seasons packets and make it at home. But instead of using the recommended amount of oil, I use 2 tablespoons of oil and the rest is water (in addition to the vinegar of course). It is delicious and after refrigeration gets thick. I have served this to guests and they didn't know it was diet.

Sometimes though, I suck up the calories and use Olive Garden Italian dressing. I love it.

mccindy72

I'm struggling between knowing that low cal has chemical crap in it and knowing that full fat has a lot of calories.

What do you use and why?

I use Walden Farms because I'm lactose intolerant and it's damned hard to find salad dressing without either lactose or corn syrup (which I also can't eat) in it.
That being said, There are great recipes online to make your own lower-calorie dressings that don't have the chemicals you want to avoid in them, and if you eat the full fat versions, just adjust the rest of your daily calories to make room for it.

loconnor466

I do the same with the Good Seasons, more water, less oil. I also will use straight up balsamic vinegar for a no caloirie dressing. When I splurge, I make my own green goddess dressing. There are a lot of low cal and low oil dressing recipes online. I did one the other day that substituted applesauce for the oil and it was very tasty!

danimalkeys

I usually use olive oil and some balsamic vinegar, but some good blue cheese dressing is worth the calories to me and something I'll also use regularly. Zero carbs and full of flavor.

tempehforever

If I'm short on calories for the day, I just use balsamic vinegar. A little goes a long way, too!

Otherwise, I mix together a vinegar, olive oil, and mustard. I eat many processed foods and think they're fine, but homemade salad dressing is so freaking easy that I haven't bought the regular kind in years.

OceansForever

I do the easy 3-2-1 dressing:

3 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons mustard
1 teaspoon maple syrup

Tastes great, no oil and low in calories

SamanthaAnnM

You can't go wrong with balsamic vinegar and olive oil! Or lemon juice and olive oil

RinnyLush

My favourite salad dressing is homemade and super simple. Whatever your amount is, the ratio is this:

1/4 extra virgin olive oil
1/4 honey
1/2 balsamic vinegar
a splash of soy sauce

(For example, if I am dressing my own personal salad, I would make it with 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, and a touch of soy sauce.)

It is really wonderful tasting! I tend to lick the plate clean afterward, lol. Also, you know exactly what is going into it so that's nice.

Depending on which brands of ingredients you use, one serving (2 tbsps) runs you about 100-150 calories.

D_squareG

I also do the Hidden Valley ranch packets with 1 cup skim milk, half cup canola mayo , and half cup non-fat Greek yogurt. Again, delicious. About 40 calories.

courtney_leigh09

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marsellient

I use tzatziki sauce as a substitute for mayonnaise (I actually like it better) in wraps and pitas and it makes a pretty good creamier dressing for a green salad, too. The brand I buy is 50 calories for 2 Tbsp., but it's pretty easy to make with some Greek yogurt and a few other ingredients.

Holly_penguin

I loke the greek yogurt based dressing that are normally found in the salad area of my grocery store. Less calories and less chemicals.

SaintGiff

Honestly, I've reached a point where I've decided that if the universe intended humans to eat salad it would have made a dressing that tastes good and doesn't take up 40% of my daily calories.

icimani

- Good Seasons made with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
- straight balsamic glaze (my current favorite). you don't need much and it's 25 cals/tablespoon

leaner426

I like raspberry vinagrette. I also tend to use less than the recommended amounts. Another trick is to build your salad with enough flavor that you don't need dressing. I make a spicy chicken that I mix with raw spinach, feta, red onion and cucumber. The cucumber and feta smooth out the spice in the chicken and the onion and I don't miss salad dressing at all. A third option, if you like it is to use salsa.

KeepCalmNGetyaSweatOn

Balsamic vinegar & olive oil, or non fat Greek yogurt mixed with a packet of hidden valley buttermilk ranch. 8 oz of Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup %1 milk, mix it all together and let it sit for a bit. It is so good. Even the picky kids and hubby loves it!

Smashley1947

I use olive oil and balsamic vinegar (I actually found a bar in town that gives that do you, not balsamic vinaigrette, just the olive oil and vinegar)

When I get too lazy to make some I found a gluten free organic one at the grocery store that had no added sugar and just a bit of xanthum gum. I wasn't looking for gluten free or organic, just one with no sugar and ingredients I could understand.

kherrons

I like Bella's organic super fruit dressing

Bettyanne77

I make my own salad dressing with 1 part balsamic vinegar to 2 parts extra virgin olive (half tbsp vinegar to 1 tbsp oil) oil then I add a little garlic, a little salt and pepper and mix. This would cover a large salad for 2 people if well tossed.

I am not inclined to worry too much about the fat in olive oil in this case as it is good fat and also we need to eat some fat with leafy greens to extract the fat soluble vitamins from them.

canov1234

I never eat bottled dressing. It is so simple to make your own balsamic vinegarette. Combine 1 tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp. Balsamic vinegar, shredded ginger, toasted sesame seeds, sea salt, pepper, oregano, basil, parsley and one garlic clove. Shake well. Easy and delicious. All healthy ingredients and you don't have to worry about all of the chemicals in bottled dressings. Enjoy!

sjrja

They are coming out with better salad dressings all the time now - there is a line from Marzetti called "Simply Dressed" which are very tasty and have no corn syrup, MSG, preservatives. Marie's also has some yogurt-based dressings that are pretty tasty and not too terrible in calories. Also, I use the old Weight Watchers trick of putting your salad dressing in a tiny bowl on the side of your salad, just dipping your fork first in the dressing and then into the salad. You get a lot of flavor but tend to use way less dressing than if you pour it directly on the salad. I am also a big fan of salsa on a Mexican type salad and tzatziki on a Greek salad. Delicious!

chezjuan

Lately, I just put some good balsamic vinegar on my salad. A nice flavored vinegar can be a dressing in and of itself.

lmhbuss

My favorite salad dressing is a sprinkle of salt to bring out the flavor of the veggies. Also, sometimes I throw on a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of lowfat cottage cheese with a little salt and pepper.

MostlyWater

I don't alwaYS USE dressing either but if I'm home and want some, I used the bottled kind and don't beat myself up about it.

Jjsharry

Although I don't really like the guy very much, Jamie Oliver's dressings in the link below are all pretty simple, and good. The yoghurt one can be made pretty low cal if you use zero fat yoghurt and half the amount of oil.

I never use shop brought dressings any more, most are way to full of junk for my liking, and those that aren't are pretty expensive considering how simple they are to make.

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/recipe/jam-jar-dressings

djclarkmom

Bolthouse makes a line of Greek Yogurt salad dressings that taste very much like the real deal. I especially like the Honey Mustard and the Caesar. All of them are 45 calories or less for 2 Tablespoons. http://bolthouse.com/products/dressings/creamyyogurts

I also recently tried Opa brand Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing (made by Lighthouse). It's 60 calories for 2 Tablespoons and did not have the off taste I usually find in lower calorie Ranch Dressings. http://www.litehousefoods.com/products/opa-ranch

Good Luck

Mojoman02

Bolthouse Farms makes a great line of dressings...made with yogurt and low calorie. It's in the refrigerated section near the salads. They are yummy!!!

LessthanKris

When I looked at dressing there was only about a 30 calorie difference between many of the non/low fat options versus regular. Right now I have been using a Southwest Chipolte that is 100 calories per serving (2 tbs). I just measure it out and keep within my calories.

GingerLolita

I usually just use balsamic vinegar and olive oil (about a teaspoon of each, but I add more vinegar if it's too dry).

I also love Trader Joe's raspberry vinaigrette for a low-calorie option that isn't too unhealthy.

mom2kpr

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