Salads are a great way to slim down. They boost your veggie intake, increase satiety and are incredibly delicious with the right combination of ingredients. However, if you top-off your salad with the wrong dressing you can turn your healthy meal into your worst diet nightmare! In fact, some salad dressings are so loaded with calories, fat, and salt, you’d be better-off eating a couple slices of pizza. Some of the worst offenders might be in your refrigerator right now like Ranch, Blue Cheese, Thousand Island and Caesar.
Now you can take control of your salad with these healthy dressings that are not only easy to make, but will help you lose weight and cleanse your body.
Basic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
You will love this vinaigrette because it is simple, only taking about 5 minutes to whip up. The acetic acid found in red wine vinegar helps reduce overall body fat by boosting your metabolism and slowing the fat accumulation in the body. In fact, studies have shown that red wine vinegar can also suppress your appetite by slowing the break-down of food in your stomach, causing a delay in the hormone that triggers hunger. Pair that with lemon and honey, which are natural cleansers for our bodies and we have a salad dressing that offers weight loss results. This recipe is featured in Beachbody’s Ultimate Reset meal plan.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp. Himalayan salt
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1 tsp. unfiltered honey or raw agave
- 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp. fresh oregano
Mix all ingredients together.
SERVINGS: 8 NUTRIENTS PER SERVING: Calories: 126, Fat: 14g, Protein: 0g, Carbs: 1.1g
Creamy Garlic Salad Dressing
You will not believe that this dressing is healthy because it is just so good! Beyond taste, this recipe also does wonders for your waist-line. Apple cider vinegar has the same appetite suppressant and metabolism boosting properties as other vinegars but it can also halt water retention. Pair vinegar with garlic, which can reduce junk food cravings by activating the satiety hormone that decreases overeating, and this dressing will no doubt become one of your favorites! This recipe is featured in Beachbody’s Ultimate Reset meal plan.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 to 5 garlic cloves, crushed
- 3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp. Himalayan salt
- ½ tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp. unfiltered honey or raw agave
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on medium for 30 seconds. Store in the refrigerator, dressing may solidify when cold. Just set out a room temperature and stir.
SERVINGS: 8 NUTRIENTS PER SERVING: Calories: 130, Fat: 14g, Protein: 0.2g, Carbs: 3.1g
Ginger Sesame Miso Salad Dressing
This dressing pairs great with an Asian-inspired salad, with ingredients that are great for you. Miso paste is low in calories and packed with protein. Rice vinegar is a zero-calorie condiment that has been linked to fat loss. Pair these with ginger, which is a natural detoxifier, and this salad dressing will have you feeling amazing! This recipe is featured in Beachbody’s Ultimate Reset meal plan.
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp. Miso Paste
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. Bragg liquid Aminos
- ¼ cup toasted semame oil
- 1 tsp. minced ginger root
- Water as needed
Place first 5 ingredients in blender on medium high for 30 seconds. Add water as needed for a smooth consistency. Store in the refrigerator. Makes 8 servings.
SERVINGS: 8 NUTRIENTS PER SERVING: Calories: 79, Fat: 6.3g, Protein: 0.2g, Carbs: 5.8g
Mango-Lime Salad Dressing
Ready for something sweet and refreshing? Try this dressing to add amazing flavor to your salad without derailing your goals. The citrus in this dressing spikes your metabolism to boost weight loss, while mangoes are high in fiber which helps you feel fuller, longer. This recipe is featured in Beachbody’s CORE DE FORCE meal plan.
Ingredients:
- 1 large mango, peeled, pitted, and chopped
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
- 1½ tsp. finely chopped lime peel
- 1 Tbsp. raw honey
- ½ tsp. ground cumin
- ½ tsp. sea salt or Himalayan salt
- ½ tsp. ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Place first 8 ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth. Slowly add oil, blending continuously until well blended. Store in the refrigerator. Makes 12 servings.
SERVINGS: 12 NUTRIENTS PER SERVING: Calories: 76, Fat: 6.3g, Protein: 0.2g, Carbs: 5.8g
Always remember, salads don’t have to be boring and should never be fattening! Switch out one of these recipes for your store-bought salad dressing and let me know what you think.
Keeping it real,