Let's talk salads!

ItsCraash
ItsCraash Posts: 9 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I love eating salad but since I've started counting calories I've noticed my favorite vinaigrette isn't the best choice. I'd much rather have and apple and a banana instead of 2tbsp of dressing at 160 calories. But I also hate eating plain lettuce, It makes me feel like a dinosaur.

How do ya'll dress up your salad? I really hate fruit or sweet dressing in my salads. More of a veggie/protein kinda gal. Gimme ideas please :)
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Replies

  • kk_inprogress
    kk_inprogress Posts: 3,077 Member
    I use olive oil. It's too plain for some people, but it gives me just enough.
  • besaro
    besaro Posts: 1,858 Member
    edited July 2015
    bolthouse dressings! 30-45 calories 2 tbls and really really good. refrigerator section. i will also dress with grapefruit or other fruits.

    eta oops didn't read whole post so missed the "you dont like fruit" sorry
  • LynnSullivan1
    LynnSullivan1 Posts: 24 Member
    Today I tried some Walden Farm's Thousand Island since it has the best star rating. It tasted decent on a spinach salad. It has no calories. I figured it was worth a try. I'd order it again.
  • steelwill7us
    steelwill7us Posts: 11 Member
    whalden farms has a few no calorie dressings, try those
  • Mrj183
    Mrj183 Posts: 1,428 Member
    i dnt use dressing. Just have a *kitten* load of veges...beetroot and feta is usually enough of a flavor add
  • betuel75
    betuel75 Posts: 776 Member
    Walden Farms all the way, they have quite a few flavors and zero calorie.
  • ItsCraash
    ItsCraash Posts: 9 Member
    I will check the no calorie dressings! I just always assumed it they would taste like socks. Worth a try though. Thanks!

    How did I not think to put feta in my salad?
  • ItsCraash
    ItsCraash Posts: 9 Member
    Will also try just olive oil!
  • cilleriania
    cilleriania Posts: 11 Member
    Mrj183 wrote: »
    i dnt use dressing. Just have a *kitten* load of veges...beetroot and feta is usually enough of a flavor add
    That +/- lemon juice and herbs
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    I make all kind of oil or vinegar's dressings myself ( like balsamic) + spices and herbs
    Indeed Bolthouse farm dressings
    Just some mustard with water (or oil/vinegar) and spices and herbs can make some very nice dressing too
    And lemon juice also.

    Just use your imagination :)

    Even a bit of water with all kind of spices and herbs can be nice.
    And i sometimes make a kinda avocado mousse with spices. i thin it with water or lemon juice and poor it over my salad.
  • JenileeFinley
    JenileeFinley Posts: 15 Member
    Braggs liquid aminos add good flavor and lemon juice and salt
  • katherines2230
    katherines2230 Posts: 276 Member
    I love a salad with chicken breast and crumbled feta. I'm normally a ranch kind of girl but it just isn't worth the calories so I tried wishbone zesty Italian dressing, 80 cals for 2 tablespoons and it tastes incredible!
  • LVNF04
    LVNF04 Posts: 2,607 Member
    Salad with meat, it can tuna, grilled chicken, grilled talapia, steak. I also put siracha hot sauce instead of salad dressing. My salad is a kitchen sink style of salad which is every vegetable I can find.
  • pineapple_pizza
    pineapple_pizza Posts: 34 Member
    TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »
    I make all kind of oil or vinegar's dressings myself ( like balsamic) + spices and herbs
    Indeed Bolthouse farm dressings
    Just some mustard with water (or oil/vinegar) and spices and herbs can make some very nice dressing too
    And lemon juice also.

    Just use your imagination :)

    Even a bit of water with all kind of spices and herbs can be nice.
    And i sometimes make a kinda avocado mousse with spices. i thin it with water or lemon juice and poor it over my salad.

    Yum, I love the idea of an avocado dressing!

    I usually make vinaigrettes at home too. Vinegar (rice & balsamic are my favorite), olive oil, mustard, some sweet component (honey, jam/preserves), and s&p. I've also been meaning to try adding minced shallots for a more savory dressing.
  • chatnel
    chatnel Posts: 688 Member
    balsamic vingear
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,207 Member
    I like different vinegars, balsamic, red wine, white wine etc. A little olive oil also goes a long way and some of the infused ones are amazing. I sometimes make dressings with a mix of oil, vinegar, mustard and lemon juice - deliciously zesty. None of these things tend to come in over 50 cals a serve.
  • Erfw7471
    Erfw7471 Posts: 242 Member
    Kens Light Northern Italian has 45 cals for 2 Tbsp. I've actually gotten to where 1 Tbsp is enough for me, especially with the thinner dressings and using strong flavors in the salad itself (well seasoned meat, onion, fresh herbs, a good feta).
  • kimw91
    kimw91 Posts: 355 Member
    Add flavorsome ingredients like feta or goat cheese, sundried tomatoes, olives, beetroot, artichoke hearts, meat/poultry/fish/egg etc. Then spice it up with fresh herbs. If you find your salad too dry: add 2tbsp of cottage cheese. Want a dressing? Try harrisa+OJ, lemon juice+mustard, buttermilk+fresh herbs, buttermilk+horseradish, balsamic vinegar (no oil).
  • amgreenwell
    amgreenwell Posts: 1,267 Member
    make your own dressing: olive oil, salt, mint and lemon juice YUMMY!! Also, check newman's own balsamic. i think it has 90 cal per 2tbsp
    I'm currently obsessed with "mexican" salad; mixed greens, black beans, corn, tomatoes, black olives and salsa-- no dressing needed on this one
  • canary_girl
    canary_girl Posts: 366 Member
    I agree with the flavorful ingredients. And avocado will give you a creamy texture. I like to use pico de gallo with either extra lime juice or balsamic vinegar. In a pinch I use my favorite salsa.
  • JustWant2Run
    JustWant2Run Posts: 286 Member
    I use balsamic vinegar with a touch of maple syrup. Low calories and healthy.
  • oh_happy_day
    oh_happy_day Posts: 1,137 Member
    My standard dressing is a tiny amount of lemon infused olive oil and then balsamic vinegar. My usual lunch salad is tuna, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, mixed lettuce and about 50g of quinoa. Gets the job done, tasty and filling.
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  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I like vinegar dressings, a little oil with lemon juice, or some of the lower calorie dressings you can get at the supermarket. I have one that's Zesty Italian or something like that and it's 35 calories per serving.

    Word of caution about Walden Farms. They don't have zero calories period. They have less than 5 calories per serving, which allows the manufacturer to put 0 calories on the label. But there are calories in the dressing if you eat the entire bottle. Same for anything else with "0 calories" except water. Awhile back there was a thread where someone was extremely upset that they had been using one of those spray butter containers every 2 or 3 days and just dumping it on stuff, because they didn't realize that it's not really zero calories. Also I personally find Walden Farms vile, so you might want to try just one flavor and see how you like it before you purchase a bunch.
  • ternacious
    ternacious Posts: 16 Member
    I also skip dressing but pair my baby greens with some flavorful additions - tomato, red bell peppers, avocado, carrots, and for protein and flavor I add a piece of miso-marinated salmon. nom nom :)
  • jessicapk
    jessicapk Posts: 574 Member
    I like to mush up an avocado with some sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt), vinegar (red wine is good to me, lemon juice is also nice), garlic salt, and pepper. It makes a REALLY tasty dressing. However, the calories are higher because of the avocado, though they are VERY healthy calories and full of fiber, which most dressings don't have at all.
  • futuresize8
    futuresize8 Posts: 476 Member
    Add other veggies and some very spicy salsa!! YUM!
  • Elle_Bronwyn15
    Elle_Bronwyn15 Posts: 296 Member
    Vinegar based dressings are good. Or just use your favorite in moderation, don't drown your salad in dressing. Add flavor with other veggies or high-protein toppings like egg whites or grilled chicken.
  • ArtsyActive1401
    ArtsyActive1401 Posts: 752 Member
    Bolthouse is my go-to dressing. (They are in the cold area of my grocery produce section.) I believe they are all yogurt based, too. Yummy! :)
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    edited July 2015
    I use balsamic vinegar, horseradish mustard, and olive oil mixed. If I use avocado or guac on the salad, I can skip the oil if I need to save calories. Also, juicy mixins help (tomatoes with the seeds, banana peppers if you include the juice, olive, etc.)

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