Salad Dressing

Roadie2000

I generally go to the grocery store near my work and get a salad at lunch but I'm never really sure what dressing would be the healthiest. They usually have about 10 different kinds to choose from but they are possibly home made and there is no nutritional information on them.

I've never been a big salad eater, what type(s) of dressing would generally be the most healthy or contain the fewest calories?

JoanneC1216

What do you enjoy? Just find a light version of it.

I started eating more salads when I added light blue cheese dressing. I absolutely love it. I don't add more than a serving size (2tbsp) but it seems to be enough.

Roadie2000

What do you enjoy? Just find a light version of it.

I started eating more salads when I added light blue cheese dressing. I absolutely love it. I don't add more than a serving size (2tbsp) but it seems to be enough.

They don't really have light versions I don't think. I generally like Italian, ranch or Caesar but am open to trying some new ones.

jim180155

I make my own salads for lunch. Depending on what I have available, they'll be some combination of kale, spinach, collard greens or dandelions in place of lettuce. Then a cup or two (each) of snow pea pods, carrots, bell peppers, grapes, tomatoes and other fruits. They seem to be a lot more flavorful than store bought salads.

For salad dressing I usually stick to balsamic vinaigrette which is fairly low in calories.

JoanneC1216

What do you enjoy? Just find a light version of it.

I started eating more salads when I added light blue cheese dressing. I absolutely love it. I don't add more than a serving size (2tbsp) but it seems to be enough.

They don't really have light versions I don't think. I generally like Italian, ranch or Caesar but am open to trying some new ones.

If you're looking for less calories, Italian may be the way to go then.

ashenriver

I would maybe go online and check the nutrition or ask at the deli counter, they should have that information.

I find that the balsamic or Italian ones are usually more of a cream base and are higher calorie then you would think.

You could also buy or make your own dressing for your salads.

jim180155

I would maybe go online and check the nutrition or ask at the deli counter, they should have that information.

I find that the balsamic or Italian ones are usually more of a cream base and are higher calorie then you would think.

You could also buy or make your own dressing for your salads.

Maybe some are, but the Bolthouse Farms balsamic I put on today's salad was only 30 calories for 2 tbsp.

Apocalypz

Easiest and near healthiest for me is to whiz up white wine/rice vinegar with a couple dates. Sweet and tangy. You can always add spices if you like, but this is tops for me.

knra_grl

if you go with a vinagarette type I would just use an entry for a brand name one - there can't be that much calorie difference between a homemade vinegarette and a brand name one? I could be wrong though :ohwell:

Or you could bring a small container of your own then you know exactly what your or having

suremeansyes

Eat whichever dressing you like as long as you measure it out and log the calories,

That being said, I typically go for dressings that will only add 40-80 calories total to my salads. I like to add calories with add-ins like craisins, almonds, and feta cheese rather than dressing.

ashenriver

I would maybe go online and check the nutrition or ask at the deli counter, they should have that information.

I find that the balsamic or Italian ones are usually more of a cream base and are higher calorie then you would think.

You could also buy or make your own dressing for your salads.

Maybe some are, but the Bolthouse Farms balsamic I put on today's salad was only 30 calories for 2 tbsp.

Yes, it depends on the brand and type. At home I usually use basic oil and vinegar, but I find when in restaurants and in packets from the grocery store when you ask for balsamic or Italian they look creamy as opposed to homemade versions. Which is different from the Bolthouse ones since they are made to be a healthy option. A 1.5 oz serving of balsamic vinaigrette (kraft) is 120 calories or 90 calories for 2 tbsp., Italian is similar. Even mine that I buy with no added sugar (I don't like sweet dressing) is 70 cal/serving.

sarabella970

I've been making my own...(the regular ranch has 14 grams of fat & the fat free is gross) I use plain greek yogurt and ranch powder, dill and chives...

NumbrsNerd

I make my own. 1 cup fat free Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup 1% milk, 1 packet Hidden Valley Dill Dip mix.

My problem is that I am a SALAD DROWNER. I eat 1/4 cup of dressing on my salads minimum. With this recipe, the 1/4 cup is only like 45-50 calories. It's also very tasty!

loubidy

Vinegarettes would be lowest I would think, but please please watch your teeth.

Kristinemomof3

I usually eat salad without.

mschicagocubs

Balsamic or just Olive Oil/Red Vinegar.

Bring your own dressing

Roadie2000

Eat whichever dressing you like as long as you measure it out and log the calories,

That being said, I typically go for dressings that will only add 40-80 calories total to my salads. I like to add calories with add-ins like craisins, almonds, and feta cheese rather than dressing.

Cool thanks all. I haven't logged calories in a long time, basically just been maintaining. Really I'm just trying to make healthy choices and figure which type of dressing might be best when I need to go pick up lunch or go out to eat. I'll try to stick with Italian or balsamic.

Roadie2000

Vinegarettes would be lowest I would think, but please please watch your teeth.

Watch my teeth? Vinaigrette is bad for teeth?

jenchamb1

The bolthouse dressings really are great, they are yogurt based.
The only "light" dressing that doesn't have a weird taste, to my family at least, is the Hidden Valley Ranch brand.
Oh, and fat free Panera poppy dressing is good, but I know some people don't care for it. I like it in a coleslaw type salad.

jazchlo

Bump

Unknown

This content has been removed.

jlchandl17

You said tou get the salad from a grocery store, so just go down the dressing aisle, find one you like with low calories and keep it in the fridge at work.

dtimedwards

I just go with straight vinegar. It's negligible calories, and most grocery stores have a bottle of either balsamic or red wine vinegar along side the salad dressings. If that doesn;t quite do it for you, add just a bit of oli, but I've found over time that I've really lost the desire for oil in my dressing.

Another thing I use a lot is mustard. Once again, it has negligible calories.

Wandering_1

Here are some recipes:

Zesty Avocado Cilantro Buttermilk Dressing
Skinnytaste.com

Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 3 1/2 tbsp • Old Points: 1 pt • Points+: 2 pts
Calories: 64.9 • Fat: 4.8 g • Protein: 1.8 g • Carb: 5.1 g • Fiber: 2.2 g • Sugar: 1.9
Sodium: 128.8 mg

Ingredients:

3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 small jalapeno, seeds removed, leave them in if you want it spicy
1/4 cup of fresh cilantro
1 medium haas avocado
1 clove garlic
2 tbsp chopped scallion
juice of 1 lime
1/8 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/2 tsp kosher salt

Directions:
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. For a thinner dressing add more buttermilk, for a thicker dip use less.

*************************
If you don't make the salad you'll have to re-do the calorie count

Avocado Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes

Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 1/4th • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 171.3 • Fat: 13.9 g • Protein: 2.8 g • Carb: 13.9 g • Fiber: 6.1 g • Sugar: 2.1 g Sodium: 15.5 mg (without salt)

Citrus Vinaigrette

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 lemon or lime
1/2 navel orange
1 clove garlic, crushed
pinch oregano
kosher salt and fresh pepper

In a small bowl whisk olive oil, juice from lemon or lime, orange, crushed garlic, oregano, salt and pepper.

For the salad:

1 hass avocado, peeled and sliced
1 tbsp red onion, sliced
1 cucumber, sliced
1 tomato, sliced
4 cups mixed baby greens

Arrange salad greens on a plate, top with cucumber, avocado, red onion, tomato, salt and pepper. Drizzle vinaigrette over the salad and serve right away

***************************************

Red Wine Tomato Vinaigrette
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes

Servings: 8 • Size: 2 tbsp • Old Points: 1 pts • Points+: 1 pts
Calories: 50.8 • Fat: 5.1 • Carbs: 1.3 • Fiber: 0.2 • Sugar: 0.2 • Protein: 0.2

1 medium ripe tomato
1 clove crushed garlic
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp water
1/2 tsp oregano
salt and fresh pepper to taste
1 tbsp minced shallot

Chop tomato in food processor. Add crushed garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, water, dijon mustard, oregano, salt and pepper. Pulse a few times until smooth. Add chopped shallot and mix to blend. Set aside to allow the flavors to blend well.

So yummy!!

BarbieAS

My favorite dressings are homemade, equal parts olive oil and some kind of vinegar/acid plus seasonings. The olive oil is SO healthy for you but you could always cut back on it and do more of a 1:2 ratio if you were needing to save on some calories. My favorites are olive oil plus GOOD balsamic vinegar (like the 25 year aged stuff if you can find it....TOTALLY worth the $$) and salt and pepper, olive oil plus red wine vinegar plus salt, pepper, garlic powder and oregano, and olive oil with lemon juice, a dollop of dijon mustard, and salt and pepper.

jim180155

I usually eat salad without.

I'm glad you posted this. I've learned to like the taste of veggies. After seeing your post I started wondering why I'm using salad dressing. Today I brought a salad sans dressing. I like it. From now on I'm eating my salads naked.

garlic7girl

Make it yourself. It is sooooooooooo easy you will wonder why you never did it before!!!!!!!

hilly510

One trick I love is to dip your fork in the dressing, as opposed to pouring it on the salad. You use SO much less dressing but still get the flavor in every bite. Plus it makes you slow down while eating.

Wandering_1

One trick I love is to dip your fork in the dressing, as opposed to pouring it on the salad. You use SO much less dressing but still get the flavor in every bite. Plus it makes you slow down while eating.

I do that too!

cpcoursec

I use Bolthouse, found in the refrigerated section of your store with the bagged salads. So far I have tried the Ranch(45cals) and Mango Chipotle(40cals).

Pretty good stuff.

Rocbola

They all pretty much have oil in them, so they are pretty calorie heavy across the board. When i go to the salad bar at the grocery store, i either use the guacamole or the mango salsa as my dressing.