If you like ranch on your salads...

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Replies

  • LexieSweetheart
    LexieSweetheart Posts: 793 Member
    Tske a chiboni yogurt and a packet of ranch seasoning! 20 calories for two tablespoons
  • mariapuhl
    mariapuhl Posts: 529 Member
    Oh oh oh, and also, I see someone else mentioned the walden farms ranch.

    I used it for a while and got SO sick of salads because of it. I was dreading lunch everyday. I realized it was that that made me hate salad. Once I switched, happy again. A few more calories on my salad with the light hidden valley, but SO much better. I enjoyed my salad again.
  • DougM53
    DougM53 Posts: 1
    Get your dressing in a cup or small bowl and dip your fork into the dressing and then get your salad on your fork. When you get through eating, you will be amazed how little dressing you can eat and still enjoy the taste in every bite.
  • EricNCSU
    EricNCSU Posts: 699 Member
    If you have a Harris Teeter near you, their brand of Light Ranch tastes pretty good, and it's often on sale for 1.98 a bottle or less, so it's also very affordable. I'm like the other Ranch-a-holics, I just cant eat a dry salad, but I try to drizzle lightly and not use have the bottle.
  • Renise01
    Renise01 Posts: 39 Member
    I only eat ranch on my salads as well and i've found that if I load my salad with veggies (carrots, broccoli and fresh spinach) its very filling! And I make my salads in containers with lids, use 1 or 2 tbl of ranch, close the lid and shake! I find that shaking after mixing it up distributes the dressing in a way that allows for maximum flavor without adding more dressing!
  • QueenofCups
    QueenofCups Posts: 365 Member
    I only use Hidden Valley ranch, and usually the Light. But I will buy the reg often. I agree with another poster - if you are using 2 tbsp of reg ranch on a salad with low cal veggies, its not that bad.
    One way I learned to use less dressing; I put all my salad ingredients in a bowl with a lid, measure out the 2 tbsp, put lid on and shake-shake-shake. Gets dressing on every bite and makes the 2 tbsp go a long way. Thats if you are eating a huge salad as a meal. if you are just eating a side salad, you can do the same thing with 1 tbsp of reg ranch and its still not bad cal wise.

    I am focusing more on carbs that cals lately, though.
  • lazatin
    lazatin Posts: 452 Member
    I recently found the Waldon Farms dressing. I can handle the taste for 0 calories, 0 fat, 0 cards, 0 gluten, 0sugar....0 everything except sodium and i don't find that too bad 240-270 for two tablespoons!
  • JediMaster_intraining
    JediMaster_intraining Posts: 903 Member
    i gave it up...too tempting to keep around and not use it on everything! :ohwell:
  • ndaney
    ndaney Posts: 17 Member
    I am trying to get away from salad dressing and have been making my own as well. My very favorite is made with White Balsamic vinigar. I take one cup of WBV and slow simmer it on the stove until it reduces and thickens. It turns a nice orange color. It loses that tart vinegar taste and is on the sweeter side. 1 tbsp of vinegar is 15 calories so putting a couple tbsps on is ok!
  • staceyseeger
    staceyseeger Posts: 778 Member
    I stopped eating salad dressing about 1 1/2 years ago. I use some sort of meat, tuna, grilled salmon or grilled chicken for the moisture.
  • Tori_356
    Tori_356 Posts: 510 Member
    I do I eat the Kraft Reduced Fat/Calorie Light Ranch, it's pretty good i've gotten used to it now and it doesn't bother me like it used to. Tried the Walden Farms 0 Calorie, really dont like it, too watery/vinegar based, i'll stick to my light ranch and use less of it, don't put as much dressing on salad these days, sometimes use none or just some olive oil & vinegar.
  • StrengthIDidntKnow
    StrengthIDidntKnow Posts: 543 Member
    I personally don't like ranch on salads (but I do on baked potatoes) but here is a homemade recipe from skinnytaste.com. All of her stuff I have ever made has been amazing. This is 52 calories for a 1/4 cup! That's 4 tablespoons...and most are about that much for 2 tablespoons. I'd try it if I were you :)

    http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/09/low-fat-buttermilk-ranch-dressing.html

    This is on my list of things from her website to make. I haven't made anything from her website that I didn't like.
  • Missjulesdid
    Missjulesdid Posts: 1,444 Member
    I LOVE LOVE LOVE ranch. I used to dip my pizza crust in it. Perhaps this is the reason I am now in this predicament?

    I love to dip veggies in it. Mmmmm carrots in Ranch was a favorite of mine.

    I love to pour it on salads with extra croutons.

    I used to make my own ranch and I even made homemade mayo to make it extra extra good.

    I hate the fat free stuff from the bottle. YUCK.

    Now I don't make ranch anymore because you can't just make a small amount and it doesn't last long once you make it. If I made a lot, I'd eat the whole amount and I can't be doing that so I just don't make it.

    I miss it, but since I don't eat croutons or pizza right now anyway I guess I don't really need the ranch.

    I now use extra virgin olive oil and lemon on my salads or I make my own Italian or Lebanese dressing.

    I dip my carrots in hummus
  • fixeruppper
    fixeruppper Posts: 105 Member
    Add a bit of low fat buttermilk. You'll still love the dressing and have fewer calories and fat.
  • Des92
    Des92 Posts: 309 Member
    I use Kraft fat free. It's okay, not AS good, but I don't use a lot of ranch and it does the trick for me! Sometimes I mix it with some cottage cheese and use it as a veggie dip. Really good and adds lots of protein :) I haven't tried this on a salad yet but I think it would be good.
  • jjbraid
    jjbraid Posts: 54 Member
    I just had a salad for dinner and all I ever use is fresh salsa. I get it at my local grocery store and it is 10 calories in two tablespoons. YUMMY! Also, if it is spicy, it makes me feel like I am eating more and in turn I get fuller quicker.
  • newton2
    newton2 Posts: 21 Member
    I to love ranch dressing but I decided that I really wanted to lose weight this time and keep it off !! lol so I have been using oil and vinegar flavored rice vinegar it took a good week to get used to it but now it is fine I have lost 30 in 7.5 weeks . Good Luck!!!!!!!
  • Shanahan09
    Shanahan09 Posts: 97
    I love ranch dressing as well. Kinda quirky, but this is what I do. I dip my fork in the dressing first ( 1 tbsp of it in a small dish) then I stab my salad. Saves on calories because I usually never use it all--as well, I also get the perfect amount of dressing with every bite! There's just some things I won't give up, and ranch is one of 'em! :tongue:
  • otr12
    otr12 Posts: 632 Member
    ranch-1.jpg
  • littlesis412
    littlesis412 Posts: 314 Member
    BUMP
  • lcnelson
    lcnelson Posts: 279 Member
    bump for later
  • fitaliciag
    fitaliciag Posts: 373
    if you get the right kind of ranch and stick to the serving size.....maybe it's not so bad. but I wouldn't want to waste the allowances on it. get the "light" stuff and pay attention to labels.
  • shedoos
    shedoos Posts: 446 Member
    I use regular dressings, but a trick my mom learned at her "classes" when she was first diagnosed with Diabetes works great:

    Put the dressing in a small cup on the side. Dip your fork in the dressing and then in your salad. I can eat a huge salad with just a tablespoon of dressing in this way and don't really feel deprived.
  • MsMuniz
    MsMuniz Posts: 399 Member
    I am the same as you, love my dressing..I still use Ranch but switched to 3 cheese ranch from Kraft...key to salads is to add your dressing in a bowl with a lid, the shake the crap out of it too make your tbsp go far...i also like honey dijon from our compliments and it is lower calorie....the way I see it, if I am eating big ole plate of salad, I can keep my dressing :)

    ^^^^this is the best way to make your salad. measure it out and shake, shake, shake. that way every piece gets dressing on it and you won't go over and use too much.
  • sarahsedai
    sarahsedai Posts: 273 Member
    moderation, just like everything else. :)
  • awkwwward
    awkwwward Posts: 73
    There's a vegan ranch salad dressing by Follow Your Heart that's way better for you than most "store" brands and nice, thick & creamy. I highly recommend it or making your own.
  • SouthernArt77
    SouthernArt77 Posts: 223 Member
    I never buy bottled ranch dressing anymore since I tried using the packets. It's so much better made at home! When I'm watching calories, I use reduced fat mayo & 2% milk to make it. It doesn't taste anything like "light" dressing, which to me is disgusting. Try it!!
  • hate2run
    hate2run Posts: 29 Member
    I like ranch as well. I use a little bit and also mix with franks hot sauce or salsa. If you put your salad in a tupperware container and top with the dressing then put lid on and shake it you will use way less dressing. (This tosses it all over it & you still will be able to taste it)
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