Do you dip your fork?!

Opera_Bound
Opera_Bound Posts: 291 Member
edited September 21 in Food and Nutrition
So as much as I hate to admit it - I LOVE ranch salad dressing. Prior to the start of my lifestyle change, I'd put it on EVERYTHING! No really, anything I could - chicken, hamburgers, veggies, salads, crackers, toast, etc.

Obviously, that's what got me to my starting weight in the first place! I've tried all of the olive oil/vinagrette dressings out there, but I just can't seem to find one that satisfies my need for salad dressing on my salads.

I've decided that if I use only 2 TBS of a low-fat/reduced-fat Ranch and simply dip the tongs of my fork into the dressing - I'll have some left over even on the biggest salads! I just ate about 3-4 cups of a homemade salad with radishes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots! I had the same thing yesterday with my baslamic and basil dressing (slathered on, mind you) and it was not NEARLY as tasty as it was today! I learned this 'trick' of dipping the fork when I was on Weight Watchers about 8 years ago. Back then, I don't think I had the mind-set or self-control to just 'dip' my fork. But now, I'd much rather just dip and get the full flavor than sacrafice the great veggies with a dressing I loathe.

Anyway - just an idea for any other ranch dressing lovers! I hope everyone is having a wonderful and healthy week!
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Replies

  • krislshoe
    krislshoe Posts: 459 Member
    I love ranch dressing......what a great idea...will have to try it....Thanks for the idea Opera.
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    YES!! That was the first diet trick I learned and it works wonders.

    I used to put 1/2 bottle of ranch or blue cheese on my salad. :noway:

    I do not feel cheated at all and use less than 1 tsp-I tested it!!
  • raindancer
    raindancer Posts: 993 Member
    YEP! I'm a fork dipper, a trick I also learn from 3 years at weight watchers. I've never been able to give up ranch dressing so I had to try something.
    I've noticed when I've been eating out with friends they just pour on the dressing and I always get my on the side. When we are done you barely miss what I used out of the bowl.
  • busymom74
    busymom74 Posts: 3,341 Member
    OMG What an amazing idea. Why has no one mentioned this to me before??? I've been avoiding ranch this whole time!
  • papersparrow
    papersparrow Posts: 31 Member
    This is an amazing idea. I've tried several of the oil-based dressings only to find they weren't satisfying, or that I hated the taste. I'm definitely going to have to try this. Thanks for sharing it, Opera :)
  • sorellabella
    sorellabella Posts: 133 Member
    Fork dipper for sure....one of the tricks that definately learned from weight watchers :happy:
  • catrinav2005
    catrinav2005 Posts: 25
    Wow that's an excellent trick! I've never ever thought about doing that but it makes so much sense! I'm starting to get sick of my fat-free raspberry vinaigrette. I need to go buy me some ranch!
  • MandyKayFrench
    MandyKayFrench Posts: 69 Member
    I don't know why but I've never mastered the fork-dip. Instead, I put my salad in a ziploc bag with a small amount of dressing (usually 1 serving or 1/2 of 1 serving) and then shake the bag like a crazy person. Then there's a small amount of dressing in every bite but the overall amount is completely controlled. :smile:
  • Samantharose8akaDebbie
    Samantharose8akaDebbie Posts: 407 Member
    Yes. I dip as well.........I also like the zip lock bag idea (shake er up)
  • HealthyChanges2010
    HealthyChanges2010 Posts: 5,831 Member
    dipper!:tongue:
  • hill242
    hill242 Posts: 412 Member
    Dipper here! One of the first things I started doing to change the way I eat salads. I also ask for no cheese or croutons sometimes.
  • Opera_Bound
    Opera_Bound Posts: 291 Member
    MandyKay - I like the ziploc bag idea!! :flowerforyou: Think it might get put in the exercise database if you do a little booty shake with it too?! :wink:

    Glad to see fellow former Weight Watchers friends that learned the trick as well! I really did love weight watchers but I just cant afford all the meetings and tools, along with my gym membership and healthy foods! C'est la vie! Thank GOODNESS for MFP!!! :drinker:

    Just a tip for all those just trying it out now - be sure to MEASURE it out into a small dish or container so that you're really aware of how much is in 1 or 2 servings, and remember, a little bit goes a long way! :happy:
  • hawkeye01
    hawkeye01 Posts: 162
    Yep, like most everyone else I learned that neat trick from WW years back. While I don't do WW anymore, I continue to be a dipper.
  • courtney_love2001
    courtney_love2001 Posts: 1,468 Member
    Yep! Though just a little bit--I don't care much for dressings. I would rather taste the other excellent ingredients than just a whole glob of ranch (though I loveeeeeee me some ranch!).
  • neenaleigh
    neenaleigh Posts: 584 Member
    i love this method! i can eat a whole salad with less than 1oz of dressing now!!!!!!
  • Lparault
    Lparault Posts: 100
    I make my own Ranch with Smart Balance Omega-3 mayo, SB Omega-3 sourcream (equal parts), 1 packet of ranch and enough skim or 1% milk to make it a proper consistency... I absolutely HATE low/no fat food products. The texture is all wrong and I find they don't satisfy me. The Omega-3 in SB products help raise your good cholesterol.

    I'm not saying you should drink my ranch, but it does taste (and feel) really good. Little difference in it and the real thing.

    Great job on the weight loss!
  • wantmycurvesback
    wantmycurvesback Posts: 69
    While I am a balsamic girl, I do occasionally enjoy ranch. I really like the Marzetti 100 calorie pack ranch dressings, I buy them anyway for my son to put in his lunch bag with crudites, so I will indulge ever so often. I think it's really tasty!!
  • crazyjkgirl
    crazyjkgirl Posts: 123 Member
    I am a HUGE fork dipper. I've found though that if my salad is of high quality tasty ingredients- I barely use any dressing. Sometimes, I don't even get myself dressing.

    I've also found that defrosting frozen strawberries and tossing them in my salad works wonders. The water from the ice crystals on the strawberries makes them slightly mushy so the strawberry flavor disperses itself throughout the salad.
  • selbyhutch
    selbyhutch Posts: 531 Member
    I've never been a ranch person... but I love blue cheese... not as a dressing though. I haven't been eating the foods that I normally put blue cheese on, so I'm ok... for now!!!
  • Johnnyswife
    Johnnyswife Posts: 1,447 Member
    OMG What an amazing idea. Why has no one mentioned this to me before??? I've been avoiding ranch this whole time!
    I know right? I've never heard of this, but I will do it from now on!! Ya learn something new everyday!
  • Opera_Bound
    Opera_Bound Posts: 291 Member
    OMG What an amazing idea. Why has no one mentioned this to me before??? I've been avoiding ranch this whole time!
    I know right? I've never heard of this, but I will do it from now on!! Ya learn something new everyday!

    Glad to help ladies! I wish you all the best of luck!
  • mamagooskie
    mamagooskie Posts: 2,964 Member
    I've never tried either....but dipping or ziploc/shaking would work for me! Gotta try it! thanks.
  • dragonfly__
    dragonfly__ Posts: 172 Member
    yep i'm a fork dipper!
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    And here I thought no one else on the planet could rival my love for ranch dressing!!!!

    I hear you LOUD AND CLEAR.

    1. Yes, I did the fork dip. It's helpful when at restaurants, especially.

    2. I make my own ranch at home. Lucky for me, I like it a little on the thinner side for salads. I have been able to tweak it with Miracle Whip Light instead of Duke's Mayo (I use to HATE Miracle Whip, now we're on friendlier terms.... 50 cals a tbsp versus 200 with Dukes!!!!). I add a little bit of water to thin it out, then divide the total calories by how many servings I have. (I measure the initial batch or put it in a container that is measurable.) I love my homemade ranch.

    3. McDonald's had "Salad Shakers" once upon a time ago. They were the BEST. Your salad came to you in a clear cup (essentially) with a domed lid. (Imagine their hot fudge sundae container but larger.) You poured in your dressing, popped on the top, shook like crazy, and the dressing was equally distributed in your salad!!!!!! I make my salads at home in tupperware. I add my dressing, pop on the top, shake like crazy. Not only does it evenly distribute your dressing, but it more evenly mixes your toppings.

    4. I ran out of homemade salad dressing one night. Bummer. I only had full calorie ranch. Double bummer. I used only a small amount of ranch, mixed with a much larger amount of salsa (I like spicy foods). It made THE BEST dressing. I have repeated this dressing recipe often.
  • July24Lioness
    July24Lioness Posts: 2,399 Member
    I am the odd person out, but I don't dip my fork, I am a salad shaker, I don't eat low fat or no fat dressings (eww gross), nor do I count the calories or fat, I actually welcome the fat from the dressing.

    On the other hand, I don't eat store bought dressings (mayonnaise, salad dressings, etc)...........

    Here is my recipe, I use home made mayonnaise also, if anyone is interested in the recipe.

    1 cup mayonnaise
    1/2 cup sour cream
    1/2 teaspoon dried chives
    1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
    1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
    1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
    1/4 teaspoon onion powder
    1/8 teaspoon salt
    1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

    Directions
    In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
  • JStarnes
    JStarnes Posts: 5,576 Member
    McDonald's had "Salad Shakers" once upon a time ago. They were the BEST. Your salad came to you in a clear cup (essentially) with a domed lid. (Imagine their hot fudge sundae container but larger.) You poured in your dressing, popped on the top, shook like crazy, and the dressing was equally distributed in your salad!!!!!! I make my salads at home in tupperware. I add my dressing, pop on the top, shake like crazy. Not only does it evenly distribute your dressing, but it more evenly mixes your toppings.
    I used to love those!! :love: I was so sad when they got rid of them.

    And yes, I'm a fork dipper.
  • krislshoe
    krislshoe Posts: 459 Member
    so I tried the dipping my fork in my dressing....wow...I only used 1 Tbsp. for my whole salad....Great idea!!!!!
  • Opera_Bound
    Opera_Bound Posts: 291 Member
    so I tried the dipping my fork in my dressing....wow...I only used 1 Tbsp. for my whole salad....Great idea!!!!!

    :drinker: WOOHOO!! :drinker: Glad it worked out for you! Your salad was just as yummy, right? I'm a fan of dipping! :happy:
  • donghaeboong
    donghaeboong Posts: 4
    I do it with ranch, but not my Italian dressing (but I do measure, don't worry, haha). I started doing it a lot more when I got a newsletter from Jillian giving me this idea.
  • mommared53
    mommared53 Posts: 9,543 Member
    I love Ranch dressing too and I'm also a fork dipper. I read about it somewhere one time. My son makes fun of me but I don't care. :laugh: I do a lot of things that he thinks is weird. :bigsmile:
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