RANCH DRESSING! HELP

GURLEY_GIRL3
GURLEY_GIRL3 Posts: 347 Member
edited October 7 in Food and Nutrition
OKAY I NEED SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR SOMETHING TO REPLACE MY RANCH DRESSING ON SALADS!! ITS EATING UP ALL MY CALOIRES. GIVE ME SOME IDEAS OF WHAT YOU EAT ON A SALAD.

I HATE HATE HATE FAT FREE RANCH!!
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Replies

  • staceykoz
    staceykoz Posts: 31 Member
    Maybe you haven't found a decent fat free ranch? I have never found a fat free ranch dressing that I like, but I use Marzetti's Fat Free Ranch DIP instead of dressing on the side and dip my veggies into it. It might be worth a try.
  • steph1278
    steph1278 Posts: 483 Member
    I use Hidden Valley Ranch light. It has 80 calories for 2 tbsp so it is still on the high side, but less than traditional ranch dressing. I am not a fan of oil/vinegar based dressings so this is my compromise.
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    Eat the dressing you like just start cutting back. You will learn to like less. I don't put the dressing on my salad. I dip my fork in the dressing and then my salad, that way I always have dressing on my tongue. It works. Never poor out more then 2 tbls.
  • Kakarie
    Kakarie Posts: 1 Member
    I use to mix fat free with the regular and slower reduce the amount of regular until I adjusted. Sometimes its all about tricking and reteaching your taste buds.
  • ckirschenmann
    ckirschenmann Posts: 1 Member
    I use Applie Cider Vinegar with a little seasoning salt and black pepper
  • RosalindaP
    RosalindaP Posts: 31 Member
    Have you tried the salad spritzers? They have ranch and cesar which are both normally high in calories. Not creamy like normal ranch but it was something that wasn't hard to get used to.
  • vinylscratch
    vinylscratch Posts: 218 Member
    I agree -- full-fat in moderation! Or, plain greek yogurt with smashed garlic, onion powder, pepper, rice vinegar and sea salt... not quite the same but very good!
  • ChaseAlder
    ChaseAlder Posts: 804 Member
    Put a smaller amount of the dressing you like on your salad and toss it until all the greens are coated. You'll use a lot less. I was able to used only two tablespoons of dressing the other day and I was able to have a HUGE salad for basically just the calories of the small amount of dressing I used.
  • joyfulteach
    joyfulteach Posts: 419 Member
    Try homemade from the packets.... You can use low cal stuff, but it will taste better because its fresh. Also try cutting the ranch with salsa makes it go farther.
  • akossen
    akossen Posts: 54 Member
    I use the spray ranch on my salad, it took some getting used too, but now I cant stand the taste of regular ranch.
  • tabathaduvall
    tabathaduvall Posts: 17 Member
    I've been mixing the Hidden Valley Ranch Mix packet with fat free sour cream and skim milk. I like it just as well as regular bottled Hidden Valley.
  • oamber0
    oamber0 Posts: 53
    I use regular old ranch dressing! Its not the ranch that is eating all the calories, It is self control. measure out 1 or 2 tablespoons into a bowl, and dip your salad into the dressing. Not dunk, but a light dip! also try putting real tasty things into your salad, that way you won't need as much dressing. With a fairly large salad, i can usually do this and have dressing to spare.
  • ichorica
    ichorica Posts: 475 Member
    Like someone else has said, can you scale back? I love salads with ranch. I use 1 sometimes 2 tbsp, which is like 130 Cals but for a huge salad that's not bad!
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    Skinnytaste.com
  • otr12
    otr12 Posts: 632 Member
    ranch-1.jpg
  • eileen7316
    eileen7316 Posts: 72 Member
    I use Marie's Yogurt Ranch dressing - it's really good.

    I also HATE fat free dressing!
  • vdmcgee
    vdmcgee Posts: 1 Member
    Hi you may want to try Hidden Valley light Ranch... its very tasty. I don' t like Fat Free dressing, but I will try lite versions and if you like vinaigrettes you could try Marzetti (Designed for Wendy's) - Pomegranate Vinaigrette Salad Dressing, 1 oz. 55 calories and 3 grams of fat per 1oz serving.
  • jordi05
    jordi05 Posts: 5
    I feel you. I am a ranch addict!! On literally 90% of the foods i eat i have to dip them in some kind of condiment! It wasnt until I started tracking the calories I realized how much of my daily limit i was wasting!! I have switched to hidden valley Light and its actually bearable and I just try to use as small of portions as possible for me. I hope to one day eat this ranch dressing addiction!! :-)
  • sal22408
    sal22408 Posts: 90
    im truly surprised nobody has mentioned Walden Farms dressings! They have 0 everything!!! No Cal, No fat, No carb!!! ...and they dont taste bad!!!! They are a bit watery, but seriously...soooooo worth it and pretty tasty compared to some fat free dressings. Ive tried and liked the ranch, honey dijon, ceasar, and balsamic vinegar. They sell these at Walmart ....i have heard they also sell a no fat, no cal, no carb ketchup, mayo, sauces and dips too but i keep forgetting to look~!

    I think you can probably google Walden Farms and find out all of the different flavors and products. Try them!! I was impressed!! I even use the honey dijon when im cooking ...taste yummy on chicken!
  • GURLEY_GIRL3
    GURLEY_GIRL3 Posts: 347 Member
    THX FOR THE TIPS EVERYONE! :)
  • Pifflesmom
    Pifflesmom Posts: 134 Member
    I like my ranch dressing too, but what I've been doing is using a very little bit of it with some salsa (tastes GREAT on a salad!)
  • LATeagno
    LATeagno Posts: 620 Member
    What about mixing your own? I sometimes buy the Hidden Valley Ranch mix (the powder) and mix it with 1/4 cup olive oil mayo (half the cals of regular mayo and not super processed) and 3/4 cup skim milk and 1/2 cup water. Sounds weird, but it tastes the same to me. It's thinner than regular ranch, so you actually use less because it coats the salad well. It's only about 45 calories per serving, too. :)
  • rebecca_chess
    rebecca_chess Posts: 101 Member
    I use the Hidden Valley Ranch Mix pouch, with 1 cup of Fat Free Buttermilk and 1 cup of Hellman's Light Mayo.....I use 2 Tablespoons on a huge salad....as long as each bite has a tiny bit of flavor on it, it works for me! :-) Hope this helps!
  • NicoWoodruff
    NicoWoodruff Posts: 369 Member
    Yep scale back to 3 Tbsp or less.. I've found Wishbone brand is a bit less calories without being a "fat free" type of dressing.

    Alternately you can try this home made Asian oil & vinegar dressing that I find yummy, it's easy. Just take a jar and fill it almost half full of Asian Rice Vinegar and then fill it the rest of the way with Toasted Sesame oil. Add a few cloves of mashed or minced garlic. Shake and serve. I find that works well for salads and it can be stored at room temperature and keeps getting tastier as it sits.

    Although when I want to dip carrot sticks or celery or things like that, I want ranch or something else creamy like Japanese Steak House style "yum yum" sauce which is surprisingly low cal but hard to find.

    Good luck!
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    I don't know what the calories are but you could plug the recipe into MFP and find out. This recipe is from http://healthyblenderrecipes.com/recipes/evas_raw_vegan_better_than_ranch_dressing/ and I haven't tried it yet but it looks good. Not calorie free but it's at least not wasted calories.

    1 cup raw cashews, soaked in filtered water for 2 hours and drained
 (soaking is optional)
    ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
    
¼ cup apple cider vinegar

    2 dates soaked in 1 1/2 cups of filtered water and then pitted
    
1/2 cup date soak water (disgard the rest of soak water or add it to a smoothie)

    2 - 4 large cloves garlic

    2 Tbsp red onion

    1½ Tbsp Herbamare
    1 Tbsp fresh continental parsley chopped finely
    
½ tsp fresh dill chopped finely

    1 Tbsp green onions chopped finely
    Place all ingredients except the fresh herbs into your blender and puree until smooth and creamy.
    If using as a dip, place mixture in an airtight container and chill for about 2 hours to congeal and thicken before serving.
    If you're like me and can't wait, the "scoff and devour immediately" approach is s'blended too!
    If using as a dressing, add about 1/2 cup - 1 cup of filtered water to thin out.

    My husband's favorite way to eat a salad is to dump a bunch of vinegar on it (apple cider, red wine - his favorite, rice wine, balsamic, etc.) If you can make the switch to that there are pretty much no calories in vinegars. I just can't do it though. :)

    ETA: Herbamare is a seasoning salt that contains Sea salt, celery, leek, watercress, onion, chives, parsley, lovage, garlic, basil, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, kelp. Just use something similar if you can't find this. They do sell it on Amazon.
  • mltdown
    mltdown Posts: 311 Member
    I use the Hidden Valley Ranch Mix pouch, with 1 cup of Fat Free Buttermilk and 1 cup of Hellman's Light Mayo.....I use 2 Tablespoons on a huge salad....as long as each bite has a tiny bit of flavor on it, it works for me! :-) Hope this helps!

    I do the above, but I use the free mayo in the red bottle. I also LOVE red raspberry dressing i'm not sure who makes it but its some yummy and you don't have to use much. I add dried cranberries and almonds to my salad with it and it's almost like dessert without the calories.
  • Dtho5159
    Dtho5159 Posts: 1,054 Member
    I use Kens light ranch dressing, Kroger light ranch etc. Ive liked most light ranches but like you, hate fat free.
  • nicehormones
    nicehormones Posts: 503 Member
    It's all about great value light buttermilk ranch.. Mmmm. I used to be a ranch addict, so when I need a fix, this is what I get. You can't tell it's lower in fat. But if you really love salads and need something, kraft fat free zesty italian isn't too bad.
  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
    I use Kens light ranch dressing, Kroger light ranch etc. Ive liked most light ranches but like you, hate fat free.

    Ken's light is really good.

    I, too, loathe fat free ranch.
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    I use Marie's Yogurt Ranch dressing - it's really good.

    I also HATE fat free dressing!
    These are good.
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