Top 8 Salad Dressing Brands for Weight Loss and Healthy Eating

The Best Salad Dressing Brands for Weight Loss

Salad is a nutritious and delicious way to get more vegetables into your diet. However, the dressing you choose can make or break the healthiness of your salad. Most commercial salad dressings are high in calories, fat, sodium, and added sugars - ingredients that can sabotage your weight loss goals. Thankfully, there are many brands that offer dressings made from wholesome ingredients that can complement your salad rather than overload it.

This article will discuss the importance of choosing the right dressing for weight loss and review the top 8 recommended salad dressing brands that are nutritious and support a healthy diet. We'll cover what makes each brand a good choice, their range of dressings and flavors, and tips for making the healthiest choice when purchasing dressings from these brands.

Why Salad Dressing Matters for Weight Loss

When trying to lose weight, every calorie and gram of fat counts. Pouring on a high-calorie, sugary dressing can undermine all the nutrition in your carefully prepared salad. According to Cleveland Clinic, a meal-sized salad with lots of vegetables tossed with a creamy dressing can pack up to 1000 calories - essentially cancelling out the benefits of eating a nutritious salad in the first place.

It's important to pay attention to the nutritional content of prepared salad dressings, rather than assuming any dressing will be a healthy choice. Read labels and aim for dressings with no more than 50-70 calories per 2 tablespoon serving. Opt for oil-based dressings over cream-based options. The healthiest dressings will have minimal added sugars, salt, and preservatives.

Choosing the right dressing for your salad is key to keeping it a low calorie, nutrient-dense part of your diet. The following salad dressing brands offer nutritious options made from high quality ingredients.

1. Brianna's

Brianna's is known for their dressings made from wholesome ingredients like olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and herbs. Their dressings are vegan, gluten free, and made without artificial preservatives. Brianna's uses expeller pressed oils and organic ingredients when possible.

Recommended flavors from Brianna's include:

• Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Citrus Dijon Vinaigrette
• Poppyseed Dressing

A 2 tablespoon serving of these dressings ranges from 45-60 calories. Brianna's dressings are nutritious salad toppers that can promote weight loss by adding flavor without unnecessary calories or fat.

2. Girard's

Girard's makes dressings and marinades using high oleic oils, which provide the benefits of olive oil but have a neutral flavor that works well in dressings. Their vinaigrettes are made with a base of vinegar and lemon juice and get flavor from herbs, garlic, mustard and spices.

Their line of "Light" dressings have just 30-45 calories per 2 tablespoon serving. Recommended flavors include:

• Girard's Light Zesty Italian Dressing
• Girard's Light Raspberry Vinaigrette
• Girard's Light Caesar Dressing

Using Girard's Light options are an easy way get full flavor without extra calories derailing your salad's health benefits.

3. Primal Kitchen

Primal Kitchen makes paleo-friendly dressings with a focus on using quality whole food ingredients. Their vinaigrettes are made with avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil, or sesame oil blended with vinegar. They use dried herbs and spices for flavor instead of salt and sugar.

Recommended Primal Kitchen dressings include:

• Greek Vinaigrette
• Caesar Vinaigrette
• Ranch

With just 60-90 calories and 5-7 grams fat per 2 tablespoon serving, Primal Kitchen dressings add bold flavor without unwanted calories.

4. Annie's Naturals

Annie's Naturals is a trusted brand for natural and organic dressings and condiments. Their dressings are made without artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. Recommended Annie's dressings include:

• Goddess Dressing
• Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Citrus Poppyseed Dressing

These dressings range from 40-60 calories per 2 tablespoon serving. Annie's Naturals are a smart choice to keep salad nutrition high and calories low.

5. Maple Valley Cooperative Organic

Maple Valley Cooperative makes organic dressings with a short list of familiar ingredients like oils, vinegar, spices and natural sweeteners. They avoid additives like corn syrup, sugar, food coloring and preservatives.

Their lighter dressings options include:

• Maple Valley Lite Italian Dressing
• Maple Valley Lite Thousand Island Dressing
• Maple Valley Lite Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

With 30 calories and just 2-3 grams fat per 2 tablespoon serving, these organic dressings allow you to use flavorful topping on your salad without worrying about calories.

6. Ken's

Ken's is one of the most popular and widely available brands of salad dressings. In addition to their original dressings, Ken's offers a line of low-fat and lite options without sacrificing flavor. Their Light Options dressings have just 20-40 calories and 1.5-2.5 grams fat per 2 tablespoon serving.

Recommended lighter Ken's dressings include:

• LITE Balsamic Vinaigrette
• LITE Northern Italian with Basil Vinaigrette
• LITE Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette

Ken's Light Options allow you to use flavorful dressings on your salads without worrying about excess calories derailing your weight loss.

7. Newman's Own

Newman's Own is a widely available brand that makes dressings and condiments from high-quality ingredients. Their salad dressings rely on oil, vinegar, and spices for flavor instead of added sugar and salt. Newman's Own Organics dressings are certified organic.

Recommended Newman's Own dressings include:

• Newman's Own Lite Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Newman's Own Organics Roasted Garlic & Herb Vinaigrette
• Newman's Own Poppy Seed Dressing

With just 45-60 calories and 4-5 grams of fat per 2 tablespoon serving, these dressings allow you to add bold flavor without unwanted calories.

8. Wish-Bone

Wish-Bone is one of the most ubiquitous and budget-friendly salad dressing brands. In addition to their classic dressings, they offer a line called "Wish-Bone Lite" with fewer calories and fat. These dressings have 25-45 calories and 1.5-2.5 grams fat per 2 tablespoon serving.

Recommended lighter Wish-Bone dressings include:

• Wish-Bone Lite Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette
• Wish-Bone Lite Ranch
• Wish-Bone Lite Italian

Wish-Bone Lite dressings allow you to add flavor to your salads without worrying about excess calories from your dressing choice.

Tips for Choosing the Healthiest Salad Dressing

When shopping for salad dressing from any of these recommended brands, keep these tips in mind to make the healthiest choice:

• Compare nutrition labels - choose dressings lowest in calories, fat, sodium and sugar
• Opt for vinaigrettes over creamy dressings
• Avoid dressings with corn syrup, sugar, excessive preservatives
• Stick to brands committed to quality ingredients
• Buy individual servings to control portions
• Make your own dressing from oil, vinegar, herbs

The right salad dressing enhances the flavor and nutrition of your salad rather than weighing it down. Dressings from the brands above are nutritious options that can support your weight loss goals. Drizzle on one of these recommended dressings to keep your salads full of flavor and free of excess calories.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.