Comparing Salad Dressings — Food and Health Communications (2024)

FAQs

Comparing Salad Dressings — Food and Health Communications? ›

As you can see, Italian dressing is generally the most calorie-dense, with French and honey mustard close behind. In terms of sugars, honey mustard packs the most, with 6 grams of sugar in a single 2 tablespoon serving! French dressing also loads the sugar into the same size serving.

Oil and vinegar.

“This is a great option, because it won't have any added sugar or salt,” says Allers. “But the type of oil is important. Opt for olive or avocado oil over an alternative like canola or soybean oil.” These healthy oils are packed with antioxidants, and can even help lower cholesterol.

Adding salad dressing to a salad increases the absorption of certain nutrients being consumed. The fat in salad dressing helps absorb key nutrients such as lycopene and alpha- and beta-carotene.

Salad Dressings help tie all the flavours together and make it more appealing (dry, bland iceberg lettuce? No thanks). Plus, adding salad dressing helps our bodies absorb the fat-soluble nutrients (Vitamin A, D, E, K) that are found in the vegetables.

Ranch Dressing

The ranch is hands down America's most beloved salad dressings. It is made from a number of ingredients such as buttermilk, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, onion, chives, salt, and pepper.

A good extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar salad dressing is one of the better dressings for a salad. Try buying a good extra virgin olive oil. Buy a Greek extra virgin olive oil or Californian extra virgin olive.

Adding dressing, condiments, or cheese will not remove vegetable nutrients. Adding those extra ingredients to your vegetables will not give them less fiber or less vitamins. By adding cheese to your vegetables, you'll add some protein to it, which will help make them more satisfying.

Harris-Pincus explains, "Those looking to follow a lower-carb plan or people watching added sugars would do better avoiding sweeter dressings like Honey Mustard, Thousand Island, French or Catalina, and choose oil and vinegar or a balsamic vinaigrette."

Furthermore, Olive Oil is a great source of vitamins K and E, as well as healthy unsaturated fats. Balsamic Vinegar about the other hand, is low in calories and may help lower your blood sugar, according to the"European Journal of Clinical Nutrition."

What to avoid in salad dressing? ›

Ken's Foods

While it does fall within 10% of the DV for saturated fat and sodium, the high amount of added sugar (18% of the recommended daily value in one serving) in this dressing makes it a dressing you should limit. If you like a little sweetness, add fresh fruit to your salad instead.

Which dressing is better for me? What did I learn? Well, ranch has more calories, but caesar has more sodium and sugar.

Best: Black Bean-and-Avocado Salad

The beans are a good source of disease-fighting antioxidants, and they have protein and fiber, as well as energy-boosting iron. Avocado adds creaminess and fiber. Plus, its fats help your body take in nutrients, including heart-healthy lycopene.

Salad dressing under the FDA standards of identity resembles mayonnaise in that it is an emulsion of oil in vinegar with egg as an emulsifier. It differs from mayonnaise in that it also contains starch paste as a thickener.

Which dressing is better for me? What did I learn? Well, ranch has more calories, but caesar has more sodium and sugar.

Best: Salad Loaded With Veggies

Add a mix of veggies to your salad to get more nutrition and flavor. Top those leafy greens with crunchy produce like carrots, cucumbers, or broccoli. Then add a punch of color from tomatoes, bell peppers, beets, or red onion.

So the next time you're dressing a salad, reach for the balsamic vinegar–in the long run, not ingesting that extra fat and sugar makes a big difference!