I don’t know about you but the most difficult part about making a big ass healthy salad is NOT ruining it by putting unhealthy dressings on it. There are very few store brands that check all the boxes when it comes to clean, nutritious dressings.
Salads are a great way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals in. However, many people ruin the health benefits of their salads by adding unhealthy dressings. Store-bought dressings are often loaded with sugar, chemicals and rancid oils. Fortunately, there are many ways to make your own healthy salad dressings at home.
Remember… most vitamins are fat soluble which means you need to have fat in order to absorb those vitamins. So putting healthy fats on your salad is essential. I use avocados, goat cheese (or whole fat cheese of your choice) or extra virgin olive oil.
Here are some tips for eliminating unhealthy salad dressings:
1. Use extra virgin olive oil and vinegar: Olive oil is a healthy fat that can help reduce inflammation and improve heart health. Vinegar is low in calories and can help regulate blood sugar levels. Mix the two together with some herbs and spices for a simple and healthy dressing.
2. Make your own dressing: Making your own dressing is easy and allows you to control the ingredients. Use ingredients like Greek yogurt, avocado, and lemon juice to create a creamy and healthy dressing.
3. Use citrus: Citrus fruits like lemon, lime, and orange can add flavor to your salad without adding calories. Squeeze some fresh citrus juice over your salad for a healthy and refreshing dressing.
4. Read labels: If you do buy store-bought dressings, be sure to read the labels. Look for dressings that aren’t laced with ingredients you cant read or have unnecessary sugars especially high fructose corn syrup. If its claiming to be made with olive oil… MAKE SURE thats what is actually in the ingredients. Most are a blend of olive and rancid vegetable oils like canola, sunflower ect.
By following these tips, you can eliminate unhealthy salad dressings and enjoy a healthy and delicious salad. Remember, the key is to focus on whole, nutrient-dense ingredients and avoid processed and unhealthy options.
Here Are Some Easy Salad Dressing Recipes
- Citrus Vinegarette:
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Avocado
- 1 Tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1 Tbsp fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
- 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp chopped walnuts
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions: in a large mason jar or container with a tight lid, combine the orange juice, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and lemon juice. Drizzle in the avocado oil while whisking vigorously with fork. Once mixed, add the walnuts and stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Avocado Oil
- 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, crushed and minced
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp Primal Kitchen Organic Brown Spicy Mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions: In a mason jar or other container with a tight lid, combine all the ingredients. Shake until all ingredients are combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- French Style Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Avocado Oil
- 2 Tbsp red or white wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- 1 tsp unsalted tomato paste
- 2 tsp water
- 1/2 tsp fresh minced onion
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
Directions: In a large mason jar or other container with a tight lid, combine all ingredients, shake it up and serve.
What Are Some DIY Dressing That You Love?
Please share 💚