Alternative to salad dressing

Aequitas503

Hi,

I take a salad for lunch to work and usually have been putting a serving (about 20ml) of 100% fat free french dressing on it (I use the Praise brand if that matters). However, I'm noticing it has more sodium than I'd like so I'm looking for alternatives.

If it makes any difference my salads usually consist of lettuce, beetroot, alfalfa, chicken or tuna and occasionally egg.

I'm happy to try making my own dressing or for low sodium store bought alternatives (please note that I live in Australia).

Any ideas?

slkehl

I love olive oil (healthy fat!) and balsamic vinegar on my salads.

liznotyet

I was going to say the same thing - olive oil and balsamic vinegar - just a few drops of each.

Sometimes I use the salad or veg that I bring for lunch to cool down a bowl of soup that I buy, and skip the dressing altogether.

bluelena

In the last several months, I've been just cutting back on how much dressing I use. If a serving is 2 tablespoons, I'll just use one tablespoon on a giant salad. Heh, I end up disappointed now when I order salad in a restaurant and forget to have them put the dressing in the side.

Olive oil and balsamic vinegar are excellent choices that have also been mentioned. There are tons of vinegar flavors out there that you can experiment with to change things up every now and then.

Salsa can be high in sodium (check the label), but is also good on salads.

slkehl

I was going to say the same thing - olive oil and balsamic vinegar - just a few drops of each.

Yes, a little goes a LONG way! If someone is serving you the salad, you may need to tell them to put less on

Aequitas503

Thanks for your replies

I'm sorry if this is an incredibly stupid question, but do you mix the oil and vinegar before putting them on the salad or just drop them on separately?

coffee_rocks

Thanks for your replies

I'm sorry if this is an incredibly stupid question, but do you mix the oil and vinegar before putting them on the salad or just drop them on separately?

I mix them together. I take a little of both, and whisk in a little fresh cracked black pepper to taste, and sometimes a pinch of garlic powder. Whisk it for a few seconds and pour on your salad. Voila!

cookn_mama

Either way but together would be better. I use cottage cheese for dressing. Not alot but I get some protein too.

rml_16

My absolute favorite is Newman's Own Olive Oil and Vinegar. It's basically olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice and some spices. One tablespoon is 75 calories, all from the oil (which is healthy) and is all I need for a good-sized salad.

You can also make your own oil and vinegar at home -- pretty easy.

gabcaron

One tablespoon of greek yogurt, one tablespoon of whole grain mustard, the juice and the zest of one lemon. Love it!

tuckerrj

I'll use a little salsa or low fat cottage cheese to moisten up a dry salad and act like dressing. That way there's a little nutrition added!

jogy

I usually make my own (olive oil and balsamic) but when I don't have time to make it, I usually take the store bought but I dilute it with water. Just enough that it still taste good but it does lower sodium and calorie intake.

tnqnt

Lemon juice, pepper and olive oil.... or just plain salsa :-) love balsamic, too :-)

ChristineS_51

Raspberry vinegar ....

makemewannadie

I always add a splash of soy sauce or a squeeze of lemon juice, i'm boring when it comes to salad dressings haha. I always have beetroot in my salads as I love the stuff and the juice kind of acts like a dressing too.

714rah714

Watch for the soduim content in salsa, it's huge.

ktrn0312

I use the fruit infused balsamic vinegar ie. Strawberry, pomegranate, raspberry etc. One tablespoon = 5 calories

terrappyn

I like to use 1% fat cottage cheese. 1/2 cup depending on the size of your salad. Mix it around and enjoy and it adds protein!!

jesswait

Salsa or Guacamole (or just plain avocados added in.)

loves86

I love adding mashed up avacados to mine!

Hambone23

A lower sodium alternative--and one that I like a bit more than plain olive oil and vinegar--is to mix a touch of Dijon mustard in with the olive oil and vinegar and make it into more of a French vinaigrette.