What is the unhealthiest salad dressing?

Depending on the ingredients, some dressings tend to be less healthy than others. Caesar. And at the top of that list? Caesar dressing. ... Thousand Island. Next in line is Thousand Island. ... Blue cheese. The delicious crumbles that make blue cheese dressing a fan favorite can also make it dangerous for a balanced diet. Oct 27, 2023

Is Hidden Valley ranch healthy?

Hidden Valley's ranch dressing is high in sodium due in part to the cheddar, Parmesan, Romano and jack cheeses it contains. There are also over 20 ingredients in this dressing, many of which are preservatives. Best to save this one for a special occasion.

Does ranch dressing have any health benefits?

Vitamins And Minerals One serving of ranch dressing provides a considerable amount of vitamin K . Canola oil is the primary ingredient in bottled ranch dressings which is a good source of vitamin K. Vitamin K is stored in the body's fat tissues because it is a fat-soluble vitamin.

Is salad dressing healthier than mayo?

Comparing the same 2-Tablespoon serving, regular mayonnaise has 180 calories, 3 grams saturated fat and 0 grams carbohydrate while salad dressing has 80 calories, 1 gram saturated fat and 4 grams carbohydrate .

What salad dressing has the most fat?

"The higher fat, higher calorie creamy dressings such as Caesar, blue cheese or ranch pack about 110-120 calories and 12g fat per 2 tablespoons, which is almost double of some vinaigrettes," says Harris-Pincus.

What are the five types of salad dressing?

Types Balsamic vinaigrette. Blue cheese. Boiled. Caesar. French. Ginger. Green goddess. Italian. More items...

Is a salad with ranch still healthy?

Worst: Salad With Creamy Dressing Dressings like ranch, blue cheese, and Thousand Island are often high in calories, unhealthy saturated fat, and sodium .

What to avoid in salad dressing?

5 Ingredients To Avoid Palm Oil. Palm oil can pop up in both creamy and oily dressings, and it's a top ingredient that Taub-Dix said to avoid. ... Sugar (but it's rarely called sugar) ... Salt. ... Monosodium glutamate (MSG) ... Coconut oil. Jan 24, 2024

What is healthier, mayonnaise or ranch dressing?

As tempting as it may be to dip your veggies (or fried cheese curds) in ranch, it just barely does better than its cousin, mayonnaise . At 8 grams of fat per tablespoon, you may be better off skipping the dip.

What is a healthier alternative to ranch?

What is healthier than ranch dressing? Plain Yogurt is a healthier option than traditional ranch. That's why we love this healthy dressing, it uses nonfat greek yogurt as a creamy alternative.

Can a ranch salad be healthy?

Dressings like ranch, blue cheese, and Thousand Island are often high in calories, unhealthy saturated fat, and sodium .

Why does Hidden Valley Ranch taste different?

The ranch packet has a fresher taste, because you add your own mayo and milk . Even though all the herbs and spices in the mix are dried, they rehydrate quickly and leave you with a product that feels homemade. This version of Hidden Valley Ranch is more flavorful than the bottled version and much, much thicker.

Which Chick Fil A dressing is the healthiest?

Of the two recommended dressing options, the Light Balsamic Vinaigrette is the lower-calorie, lower-sodium choice for dressings, versus the Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette. “Not all salads are a healthy choice.

The 5 Healthiest Ranch Dressings You Should Be Buying (2024)

We tried more than 30 kinds of ranch dressing. Here are the healthiest ones that stood out.

Joyce Hendley, M.S.

Joyce Hendley has been writing about food and health for nearly 3 decades. Her recipes and writing are informed by sound nutrition principles, and honor the nourishing wisdom of home cooks all over the world.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines

Updated on April 29, 2024

The 5 Healthiest Ranch Dressings You Should Be Buying (2)

A please-everyone salad topper, a dip for your pizza crust or a gateway to getting your kids to eat their veggies—however you ranch, you're not alone. It's the nation's most popular salad dressing and condiment, according to Statistica, which calculated figures based on the U.S. Census data and Simmons National Consumer Survey. Ranch outsells every dressing out there, including Caesar, Thousand Island, Creamy Italian and more. We tried more than 30 kinds to find the best store-bought ranch dressings—here are our favorite bottles to buy. Plus, learn what to look for on the label.

18 Easy Salad Dressings Worth Making, Not Buying

5 Best Ranch Dressings

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Follow Your Heart Ranch Dressing

The 5 Healthiest Ranch Dressings You Should Be Buying (3)

130 cal, 125mg sodium

This plant-based pick starts with the brand's Vegenaise to achieve that signature ranch creaminess without any eggs or dairy. Cider vinegar provides a slightly sweet tang.

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Marzetti Simply 60 Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

The 5 Healthiest Ranch Dressings You Should Be Buying (4)

60 cal, 220mg sodium

Marzetti's light version is our favorite in the low-cal category. Unlike others in its class, it isn't overly sweet, salty or gloppy. It's nicely balanced with less than half the calories of the original.

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Marzetti Classic Ranch Dressing

The 5 Healthiest Ranch Dressings You Should Be Buying (5)

140 cal, 200mg sodium

The thickest on the list, we love that this ranch is great for dipping while still being drizzleable enough for salad. The prominent garlic flavor also makes it a standout.

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Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dressing & Dip

The 5 Healthiest Ranch Dressings You Should Be Buying (6)

25 cal, 190mg sodium

Bits of garlic and onion sprinkled throughout this dressing add nice pops of flavor while sour cream and buttermilk team up as a pleasantly tart base.

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Hidden Valley Original Ranch Topping & Dressing

The 5 Healthiest Ranch Dressings You Should Be Buying (7)

130 cal, 260mg sodium

Of all the shelf-stable bottles we tried (and believe us, there were a lot), this has the freshest taste. Plus, you just can't beat the nostalgic taste of the buttermilk and herb combo.

What to Look for on the Label

Note the Sodium Content

Like all processed foods, these dressings can be fairly high in sodium. Luckily, there are many herbs and spices in ranch recipes that create excitement, so there's no need to sacrifice flavor. We found plenty of options that keep sodium to 260 milligrams or less per 2-tablespoon serving.

Be Wary of 'Light'

Some ranches can have upward of 180 calories per serving. Our picks capped calories at 150 for a healthy balance of nutrients and calories. Going with a light version can cut calories by as much as half, but they tend to have more sodium and sugar. We recommend skipping the "fat-free" kind since a little fat helps your body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins in your vegetables.

Keep It Simple and Chill

Some brands (especially shelf-stable ones) contain north of 20 ingredients, including stabilizers and preservatives—something to keep in mind if you are trying to avoid additives. While we didn't find any red-flag chemicals across the category, we did prefer the fresher flavor of refrigerated ranches.

Our Favorite Ways to Enjoy Ranch Dressing

As anyone who loves ranch dressing can attest, it's not just for salads. We love it as a cooling companion to a plate of hot-sauced Buffalo chicken wings, and it adds another level of flavor when drizzled over pizza, baked potato skins and french fries. Of course, it's a crowd-pleaser set out with crudités or even a bowl of baby carrots. If you are a super fan of ranch, you can get creative and add a little to your scrambled eggs or mac and cheese.

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