5 Low Fat Salad Dressings

Recently, I offered up my Top 5 Healthy Salad Recipes, and they seemed to get quite a response!

A salad is one of the most convenient and healthy meals you can eat, and the variety is pretty much endless. But one of the biggest factors in whether a salad stays healthy is the dressing you put on it.

A lot of dressings are fattening, and in a bad way. Be especially cautious of white, creamy salad dressings – they contain more of the bad kinds of fats. Generally speaking, olive oil is a good option on a healthy diet plan, and any type of vinegar will give your metabolism a decent boost.

You should also watch out for low-fat dressings that are pre-made or available at the grocery store. Unfortunately, when food manufacturers remove fat from items, they often replace it with more sugar and salt. So watch your salad dressing labels.

Do it yourself…

That’s why I recommend doing it yourself and making your own salad dressings. You have complete control and know exactly what you’re eating. Plus, you’ll be able to avoid any additional additives and preservatives that you find in your grocery store varieties.

Here are 5 low fat salad dressing recipes you can do yourself! Each recipe makes 3-5 servings.

5 Low Fat Salad Dressing Recipes

1. Low-Fat Caesar Dressing – Caesar salad is a popular choice, but the traditional kind is full of fat. Here’s a low-fat alternative. Whisk together the following ingredients and pour onto the healthy salad ingredients of your choice:

5 tablespoons of plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
1 squeeze of fresh lemon juice
1 clove of garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

2. Skinny Miso Dressing – Another healthy alternative for a traditionally creamy and fatty salad dressing, this recipe requires minimal ingredients and minimal prep work. Whisk together the following ingredients and top your salad:

2 tablespoons of light, all-natural mayonnaise
1 tablespoon of red miso paste
1 tablespoon of rice wine vinegar
1 squeeze of fresh lime juice

3. Sweet & Tangy Pomegranate Vinaigrette – If you like your dressings on the sweet side, this is the recipe for you. It goes well with a fruit salad or drizzled on a nice bed of fresh arugula with goat cheese. Whisk together the following ingredients:

¼ cup of pomegranate juice
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

4. Light Barbeque-Ranch Dressing – This one is pretty tasty, and it’s extremely simple and easy. Combine the following ingredients, and enjoy this tangy salad dressing on a salad full of grilled chicken, romaine hearts, black beans, tomatoes, and corn:

¼ cup of barbeque sauce (pre-made or home-made)
¼ cup of plain non-fat Greek yogurt
Salt and pepper to taste

5. Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette – This is a classic salad dressing, and my personal favorite. It goes with pretty much every salad ingredient you can imagine, and it’s a great metabolism booster, so it will actually help you burn fat! Whisk together the following classic ingredients and enjoy:

2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of honey
Salt and pepper to taste

Want to make your salad dressings even healthier?

For these recipes and others, try replacing olive oil with Nutiva Organic Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil. It’s been shown in studies to help you burn off more fat and lose weight, and it’s an easy substitution.

You can also mix in these Nutiva Organic Chia Seeds. They go well with creamier dressings and create a consistency similar to a poppy-seed dressing. They’re packed full of protein and fiber for some great health benefits!

Have any questions or feedback about these low fat salad dressing recipes? Please leave a comment below…

5 Low Fat Salad Dressings