What salad dressing do you use?

I looove ranch dressing, that's the only one I've used for a long time. But now that I'm counting calories, it just takes up too many of my calorie allowance.

I bought the fat free Ranch but that just tastes like crap to me.

So, any suggestions?

If you like original ranch dressing use that... but serve it in very small amounts.    I like to make vinaigrette dressing with oil, vinegar and a few herbs... luckily, because it's thin, just a teaspoon or two is enough to coat the leaves.  I haven't found a low fat dressing that is worth the swap.

Usually none.  Otherwise lemon juice (fresh or bottled) with some sort of dried herb sprinkled on - dill, basil, rosemary.  Sometimes celery salt, but that's salt with a little flavor!

i mostly do olive oil and red wine vinegar (almost always have my whole life)

the fat free ranch may be gross but maybe try making some at home your self.  get those packets that have all the ranch seasoning in it and mix it with fat free sour cream or yogurt.  or just sprinkle the packet on your salad and add just a touch of healthy olive oil or a vinegar.  i haven't tried it myself but seems like a way to get all the flavor without a lot of calories (well...the oil is high but good for you)  :-)

i eat kens creamy caesar.  its not fat free and it has around 120 calories, but to me its worth it.   i just flat out wont eat salad if the dressing sucks.  i cant seem to force myself to do it and ive tried a million times.  i figure its better to eat bunch of lettuce/spinach with dressing than it is to eat no salad at all, which is what always ends up happening. 

Annie's Goddess Dressing or Newman's Own. Super healthy and delicious.

Oh, and if you can ever get your hands on some Red Apple Balsamic, it is divine on salads, ooooh man.

I use Caesar because I love it too much but I only eat it when I am dinning out.

Other than that I use Light Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Have you tried the light ranch instead of the Fat Free?  That's what I use and I like it.  I use the Wishbone brand.  I've wanted to try so many other types of dressing but have been afraid that I would hate them. 

You can make your own ranch and it wil be amazing!

Use lowfat mayo (I like Spectrum Brand) and Buttermilk (already super healthy) in approximately equal parts.  Remember it will thicken up in the fridge, so you want it a little runny. Add finely chopped garlic, and fresh herbs (cilantro, basil, parsley, chives, dill or a mix).  A generous pinch of salt and plenty of fresh cracked pepper. 

INSANITY! Remember the better quality mayo and buttermilk you buy, the better it will taste :)

Keeps in the fridge up to 2 weeks.

I actually love Fat Free Ranch!

I also like Light Honey Dijon dressing, Fat Free Bleu Cheese, Caesar. But, if I'm looking for something more low cal or less *processed* I'll go with simple Lemon Juice or Balsamic Vinegar.

Caesar dressing was always my fav - so I know what you mean about calorie overload from a dressing! On rare occasions I use the calorie reduced version - the fat free is just gross.

I switched out to a zesty italian so that I still get the "ZIP"

- but recently? I don't use dressings at all - my "dressing" comes from the veggies and cheeses. I have more veggies than lettuce. and my favourite is adding warm meat on top. The meat (especially if it was seasoned) adds enough oils and flavour that I don't notice the missing dressings. Adds protein too. Although chickpeas are equally as yummy on top.

I also switched to baby spinach as my salad base because it has more flavour (and nutrients too)!

Other things to try on salad: minced garlic that has sat in olive oil with various herbs

you guys have to try the fat free french from wendys.  it is so amazing.  i usually use the fat free catalina (kraft).

Salsa!!  Yum!  Full of flavor, low cal and fat free!  Sometimes I'll toss some light sour cream on there too, it's very taco salad-esque.  I LOVE it!

Try making your own-with the hidden valley ranch packets using skim milk and fat free mayo or fat free sour cream.  It makes it pretty thin so don't use as much milk-but it's not as bad as the fat free ranch IMO.

Either chicken salad or rasins and walnuts.

I love a lot of the kraft LIGHT or "calorie wise" dressings.  I wouldn't give you 2 cents for the fat free stuff!  Oil/Red Wine Vinegar with herbs is wonderful too!

~H~

Ken's now has a lighter line called Ken's Healthy Options. I like these a lot. Only like 25 cals for 2 tbsp. Haven't tried them all but I have loved their Caesar.

Good quality soy sauce with some dijorn mustard and a healthy helping of black pepper (freshly grinded is better).

Lemon Juice and salt and pepper

or Kraft Fat Free Catalina (50 cals serv.)  I cant tell the difference!

Kraft's Signature Sundried Tomato & Oregano (with olive oil)....so good and only 30 cals per tbsp

My absolute favorite is Honey Mustard (Dijon) Dressing.

Yummmmmy!