RANCH DRESSING! HELP

GURLEY_GIRL3

OKAY I NEED SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR SOMETHING TO REPLACE MY RANCH DRESSING ON SALADS!! ITS EATING UP ALL MY CALOIRES. GIVE ME SOME IDEAS OF WHAT YOU EAT ON A SALAD.

I HATE HATE HATE FAT FREE RANCH!!

staceykoz

Maybe you haven't found a decent fat free ranch? I have never found a fat free ranch dressing that I like, but I use Marzetti's Fat Free Ranch DIP instead of dressing on the side and dip my veggies into it. It might be worth a try.

steph1278

I use Hidden Valley Ranch light. It has 80 calories for 2 tbsp so it is still on the high side, but less than traditional ranch dressing. I am not a fan of oil/vinegar based dressings so this is my compromise.

dls06

Eat the dressing you like just start cutting back. You will learn to like less. I don't put the dressing on my salad. I dip my fork in the dressing and then my salad, that way I always have dressing on my tongue. It works. Never poor out more then 2 tbls.

Kakarie

I use to mix fat free with the regular and slower reduce the amount of regular until I adjusted. Sometimes its all about tricking and reteaching your taste buds.

ckirschenmann

I use Applie Cider Vinegar with a little seasoning salt and black pepper

RosalindaP

Have you tried the salad spritzers? They have ranch and cesar which are both normally high in calories. Not creamy like normal ranch but it was something that wasn't hard to get used to.

vinylscratch

I agree -- full-fat in moderation! Or, plain greek yogurt with smashed garlic, onion powder, pepper, rice vinegar and sea salt... not quite the same but very good!

ChaseAlder

Put a smaller amount of the dressing you like on your salad and toss it until all the greens are coated. You'll use a lot less. I was able to used only two tablespoons of dressing the other day and I was able to have a HUGE salad for basically just the calories of the small amount of dressing I used.

joyfulteach

Try homemade from the packets.... You can use low cal stuff, but it will taste better because its fresh. Also try cutting the ranch with salsa makes it go farther.

akossen

I use the spray ranch on my salad, it took some getting used too, but now I cant stand the taste of regular ranch.

tabathaduvall

I've been mixing the Hidden Valley Ranch Mix packet with fat free sour cream and skim milk. I like it just as well as regular bottled Hidden Valley.

oamber0

I use regular old ranch dressing! Its not the ranch that is eating all the calories, It is self control. measure out 1 or 2 tablespoons into a bowl, and dip your salad into the dressing. Not dunk, but a light dip! also try putting real tasty things into your salad, that way you won't need as much dressing. With a fairly large salad, i can usually do this and have dressing to spare.

ichorica

Like someone else has said, can you scale back? I love salads with ranch. I use 1 sometimes 2 tbsp, which is like 130 Cals but for a huge salad that's not bad!

JennaM222

Skinnytaste.com

otr12

eileen7316

I use Marie's Yogurt Ranch dressing - it's really good.

I also HATE fat free dressing!

vdmcgee

Hi you may want to try Hidden Valley light Ranch... its very tasty. I don' t like Fat Free dressing, but I will try lite versions and if you like vinaigrettes you could try Marzetti (Designed for Wendy's) - Pomegranate Vinaigrette Salad Dressing, 1 oz. 55 calories and 3 grams of fat per 1oz serving.

jordi05

I feel you. I am a ranch addict!! On literally 90% of the foods i eat i have to dip them in some kind of condiment! It wasnt until I started tracking the calories I realized how much of my daily limit i was wasting!! I have switched to hidden valley Light and its actually bearable and I just try to use as small of portions as possible for me. I hope to one day eat this ranch dressing addiction!! :-)

sal22408

im truly surprised nobody has mentioned Walden Farms dressings! They have 0 everything!!! No Cal, No fat, No carb!!! ...and they dont taste bad!!!! They are a bit watery, but seriously...soooooo worth it and pretty tasty compared to some fat free dressings. Ive tried and liked the ranch, honey dijon, ceasar, and balsamic vinegar. They sell these at Walmart ....i have heard they also sell a no fat, no cal, no carb ketchup, mayo, sauces and dips too but i keep forgetting to look~!

I think you can probably google Walden Farms and find out all of the different flavors and products. Try them!! I was impressed!! I even use the honey dijon when im cooking ...taste yummy on chicken!

GURLEY_GIRL3

THX FOR THE TIPS EVERYONE!

Pifflesmom

I like my ranch dressing too, but what I've been doing is using a very little bit of it with some salsa (tastes GREAT on a salad!)

LATeagno

What about mixing your own? I sometimes buy the Hidden Valley Ranch mix (the powder) and mix it with 1/4 cup olive oil mayo (half the cals of regular mayo and not super processed) and 3/4 cup skim milk and 1/2 cup water. Sounds weird, but it tastes the same to me. It's thinner than regular ranch, so you actually use less because it coats the salad well. It's only about 45 calories per serving, too.

rebecca_chess

I use the Hidden Valley Ranch Mix pouch, with 1 cup of Fat Free Buttermilk and 1 cup of Hellman's Light Mayo.....I use 2 Tablespoons on a huge salad....as long as each bite has a tiny bit of flavor on it, it works for me! :-) Hope this helps!

NicoWoodruff

Yep scale back to 3 Tbsp or less.. I've found Wishbone brand is a bit less calories without being a "fat free" type of dressing.

Alternately you can try this home made Asian oil & vinegar dressing that I find yummy, it's easy. Just take a jar and fill it almost half full of Asian Rice Vinegar and then fill it the rest of the way with Toasted Sesame oil. Add a few cloves of mashed or minced garlic. Shake and serve. I find that works well for salads and it can be stored at room temperature and keeps getting tastier as it sits.

Although when I want to dip carrot sticks or celery or things like that, I want ranch or something else creamy like Japanese Steak House style "yum yum" sauce which is surprisingly low cal but hard to find.

Good luck!

knittnponder

I don't know what the calories are but you could plug the recipe into MFP and find out. This recipe is from http://healthyblenderrecipes.com/recipes/evas_raw_vegan_better_than_ranch_dressing/ and I haven't tried it yet but it looks good. Not calorie free but it's at least not wasted calories.

1 cup raw cashews, soaked in filtered water for 2 hours and drained
 (soaking is optional)
¼ cup fresh lemon juice

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

2 dates soaked in 1 1/2 cups of filtered water and then pitted

1/2 cup date soak water (disgard the rest of soak water or add it to a smoothie)

2 - 4 large cloves garlic

2 Tbsp red onion

1½ Tbsp Herbamare
1 Tbsp fresh continental parsley chopped finely

½ tsp fresh dill chopped finely

1 Tbsp green onions chopped finely
Place all ingredients except the fresh herbs into your blender and puree until smooth and creamy.
If using as a dip, place mixture in an airtight container and chill for about 2 hours to congeal and thicken before serving.
If you're like me and can't wait, the "scoff and devour immediately" approach is s'blended too!
If using as a dressing, add about 1/2 cup - 1 cup of filtered water to thin out.

My husband's favorite way to eat a salad is to dump a bunch of vinegar on it (apple cider, red wine - his favorite, rice wine, balsamic, etc.) If you can make the switch to that there are pretty much no calories in vinegars. I just can't do it though.

ETA: Herbamare is a seasoning salt that contains Sea salt, celery, leek, watercress, onion, chives, parsley, lovage, garlic, basil, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, kelp. Just use something similar if you can't find this. They do sell it on Amazon.

mltdown

I use the Hidden Valley Ranch Mix pouch, with 1 cup of Fat Free Buttermilk and 1 cup of Hellman's Light Mayo.....I use 2 Tablespoons on a huge salad....as long as each bite has a tiny bit of flavor on it, it works for me! :-) Hope this helps!

I do the above, but I use the free mayo in the red bottle. I also LOVE red raspberry dressing i'm not sure who makes it but its some yummy and you don't have to use much. I add dried cranberries and almonds to my salad with it and it's almost like dessert without the calories.

Dtho5159

I use Kens light ranch dressing, Kroger light ranch etc. Ive liked most light ranches but like you, hate fat free.

nicehormones

It's all about great value light buttermilk ranch.. Mmmm. I used to be a ranch addict, so when I need a fix, this is what I get. You can't tell it's lower in fat. But if you really love salads and need something, kraft fat free zesty italian isn't too bad.

Barneystinson

I use Kens light ranch dressing, Kroger light ranch etc. Ive liked most light ranches but like you, hate fat free.

Ken's light is really good.

I, too, loathe fat free ranch.

dls06

I use Marie's Yogurt Ranch dressing - it's really good.

I also HATE fat free dressing!

These are good.