Addicted to Ranch Dressing...HELP!

13

Replies

  • Molly_Maguire
    Molly_Maguire Posts: 1,103 Member
    Ranch doesn't necessarily destroy the nutritional valueof salad. I eat it all the time! but what I usually do is cut a normal sized serving of it in half, and cut it with just a little bit of skim milk to make it a little runnier. then I put it and my salad in a tupperware, seal the lid, shake shake shake, open and enjoy. Same flavor for almost half the calories!
  • Lake_Po
    Lake_Po Posts: 228 Member
    Bolthouse farms makes a 45 cal for 2 T Ranch that is really good. It's yogurt based.
  • mynameiscarrie
    mynameiscarrie Posts: 963 Member
    I sprinkle 1 teaspoon of dry ranch mix on my salads. I also dip my veggies in it. Same ranchy flavor but only 5 calories per 1/2 teaspoon!
  • citygirl04
    citygirl04 Posts: 286 Member
    I would see if your insurance covers Ranch dressing detoxes and then you won't have to worry about craving it any longer

    this sounds like broscience, what are you trying to detox huh? lol

    Please do not joke around about ranch addiction, it's a serious ailment

    I like Russian myself. yum
  • CrystalZ2012
    CrystalZ2012 Posts: 20 Member
    Ok, I LOVE me some salad, but my favorite dressing is ranch...and that ruins the whole healthy concept of the salad. So, what are some good dressings to try? I've done fat free Italian...not feeling it.
    Have the ranch. Just have a small amount on the side and dip your fork into it. You eat a lot less dressing that way, and there is Ranch on each forkfull of salad.
  • Ghette
    Ghette Posts: 350 Member
    Thu 12/13/12 02:56 PM
    Someone already mentioned it, but I have to second it - Bolthouse Farms ranch tastes almost exactly like full-fat regular Hidden Valley, but only has 45 calories per two tablespoons. I used to be addicted to ranch (French fries dipped in it in college... aka how I gained weight!) and pretty much cut it out cold turkey when I started eating healthier. But Bolthouse is definitely a great choice if you can't end your relationship with ranch :)
    This^ I also tried the salsa ranch it is way better then just the ranch.
  • Weebs628
    Weebs628 Posts: 574 Member
    http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/09/low-fat-buttermilk-ranch-dressing.html

    ^^Try this. It'll change your life.
  • TS65
    TS65 Posts: 1,024 Member
    Gotta love Pinterest. I pinned this recipe for later use. I'm glad you reminded me of it - a full mason jar is only 255 calories. :o)

    here's the original link: http://fluffimama.blogspot.com/2012/03/little-something-for-your-time.html

    1 cup Dannon Oikos plain nonfat greek yogurt
    1 packet hidden valley ranch (dressing, not dip)
    1/2 cup 1% milk

    Whisk together in bowl and chill for 1 hour before serving.

    The best part....this ENTIRE jar of dressing, is only 255 calories, 1.75 grams of fat, 42 carbs and 34 protein. That calculates to 8pts on the new points plus system. For an entire jar of dressing. I would hazard a guess that this would yield about 20-24 servings.
  • BrittneyLutz
    BrittneyLutz Posts: 9 Member
    Many people have said this before but I just want to repeat. Bolthouse dressings are The Bomb. So delicious and relatively guilt free.
  • BrittneyLutz
    BrittneyLutz Posts: 9 Member
    Gotta love Pinterest. I pinned this recipe for later use. I'm glad you reminded me of it - a full mason jar is only 255 calories. :o)

    here's the original link: http://fluffimama.blogspot.com/2012/03/little-something-for-your-time.html

    1 cup Dannon Oikos plain nonfat greek yogurt
    1 packet hidden valley ranch (dressing, not dip)
    1/2 cup 1% milk

    Whisk together in bowl and chill for 1 hour before serving.

    The best part....this ENTIRE jar of dressing, is only 255 calories, 1.75 grams of fat, 42 carbs and 34 protein. That calculates to 8pts on the new points plus system. For an entire jar of dressing. I would hazard a guess that this would yield about 20-24 servings.

    I'm going to have to save this to make my own though, yummy and sounds much more affordable.
  • mrcbu145
    mrcbu145 Posts: 37 Member
    I have this in Ranch and Blue Cheese---deeelish and a lot lower calorie count!
  • samantha1242
    samantha1242 Posts: 816 Member
    Many people have said this before but I just want to repeat. Bolthouse dressings are The Bomb. So delicious and relatively guilt free.

    Agreed! Yummmmm
  • Lobster1987
    Lobster1987 Posts: 492 Member
    i would eat my hand if it were covered in ranch
  • sweetchildomine
    sweetchildomine Posts: 872 Member
    I agree with everyone else that said Bolthouse farms yogurt ranch! It tastes exactly like regular ranch dressing with WAAAAY less calories and fat! I always have a bottle in my fridge!!
  • Jme03
    Jme03 Posts: 140 Member
    I LOVE ranch! I use fat free greek yogurt, the hidden valley ranch mix & a little bit of skim milk. It taste much better than light ranch, & I can have the ENTIRE BOWL for under 200 calories!
  • schondell
    schondell Posts: 556 Member
    Do fat free ranch, done.
  • schondell
    schondell Posts: 556 Member
    Wanna know whats awesome on veggis and stuff? The "holy trinity": Olive Oil, Lemon Juice (or Vinegar) and salt. This is low in fat, high in flavor and brightens any dish.

    Olive oil is high in fat.
  • mrpink84
    mrpink84 Posts: 15 Member
    I use Bolthouse ranch. It is a yogurt based dressing. It is sold in the cooler next to the salad in mt grocery stores.

    I second yogurt dressing! I use the Eating Right brand at Safeway/Vons and have both Ranch and Blue Cheese and both are great.
  • LovingLisa2012
    LovingLisa2012 Posts: 775 Member
    didn't read all the replies so sorry if this is a repeat

    put your dressing on the side, then dip your fork then get a bite of salad .. surprisingly, you will use a whole lot less dressing
  • tameejean
    tameejean Posts: 197 Member
    If you like Ranch, eat Ranch...just a little less. Dip your fork in it, don't go for nasty lite dressings, they're just full of sugar.
  • tameejean
    tameejean Posts: 197 Member
    Wanna know whats awesome on veggis and stuff? The "holy trinity": Olive Oil, Lemon Juice (or Vinegar) and salt. This is low in fat, high in flavor and brightens any dish.

    Olive oil is high in fat.

    High in fat, but very healthy..much more healthy than bottled dressing.

    Fat doesn't make you fat anyway.
  • Colorfan
    Colorfan Posts: 230 Member
    I use Hidden Valley Light Ranch.

    Its good stuff, 1 serving is 31grams (which is more than enough for 2 cups of shredded lettuce). 80 calories, 4 grams of fat, 3 grams of carbs. Its really no different than something thats supposedly healthier like Newman's Olive Oil and Vinegar.
  • threeonethree
    threeonethree Posts: 182 Member
    Regular ranch is so good on salad. I have tried lite versions but they have a disgusting aftertaste. :\ I had to purge ranch from my fridge.

    My go-to salad dressing is Ken's Lite Caesar. It's spicy/tangy and about 60-70 calories per serving. (nothing like ranch unfortunately)
  • CristyMusicLovr
    CristyMusicLovr Posts: 179 Member
    I love ranch also but I only have one Tablespoon because I think about the calories of 2 and its so not worth it! You could be eating a fruit that's way yummier and sweet! lol and it also has to do with the amount of salad you are serving yourself because thats why you crave more dressing because you see that one spoon of ranch doesnt cover that big salad (I know because I am a ranchaholic also!) So I serve my self about 1.5 cups of salad and add one Tablespoon of Regular ranch...you could also add a little water hehe it works!
  • vtmoon
    vtmoon Posts: 3,436 Member
    Wanna know whats awesome on veggis and stuff? The "holy trinity": Olive Oil, Lemon Juice (or Vinegar) and salt. This is low in fat, high in flavor and brightens any dish.

    Olive oil is high in fat.

    High in fat, but very healthy..much more healthy than bottled dressing.

    Fat doesn't make you fat anyway.

    The OP is worried about calories... Fat doesn't make you fat but it has a lot of calories that contribute to the getting fat part. The person responding to you was pointing that high fat means high calories.
  • fwankiesgirl
    fwankiesgirl Posts: 5
    I didn't read through all the posts, but thought I would give a tip :) One thing that will cut way down, but feel like you are getting a lot, is to get a small side dish, and put the serving of ranch in it. Make your salad and what have you. When eating you dip (not scoop) your fork in the ranch, you get some with every bite. You'll see that it only takes about a tablespoon to get through your salad, but not sacrifice the taste of ranch.
  • vtmoon
    vtmoon Posts: 3,436 Member
    OPENING like others said enjoy it just use less. Like others suggested cutting it with something else to make it more helps, I personally add a lot hot sauce to my salad with my ranch.
  • gogoyubarino
    gogoyubarino Posts: 104 Member
    oh i LOVE RANCH ON MASHED POTATOES!!!!! SIMPLY DIVINE!

    Hahaha, ME TOO! It's a killer!

    Literally!
  • soleilxo
    soleilxo Posts: 202
    I dont know if you'll like this but just today I bought a light honey mustard dressing...and its really good. its from bolthouse. i think that it is just as good as ranch and its 20 calories per tablespoon AND has only 60 mg of sodium (if you care about sodium :p)
  • Mcgrawhaha
    Mcgrawhaha Posts: 1,596 Member
    Ok, I LOVE me some salad, but my favorite dressing is ranch...and that ruins the whole healthy concept of the salad. So, what are some good dressings to try? I've done fat free Italian...not feeling it.

    i am a ranch addict myself... i do have it once every 2 weeks, but other than that, i use either oil and vinigar, or, for an even lower cal option, i add pomaganate seeds to my salad, and the juice and taste that is released from the seeds does wonder for a salad!!!

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