Healthy salad dressing that keeps the veggies healthy

A mixed vegetable salad is a healthy, and nutrient filled, choice that makes a great meal or side dish. Vegetables are high in vitamins A and C, potassium and fiber, which translates to promoting good overall health. A salad isn’t complete without dressing, though.

The type of salad dressing you choose can make or break a meal. Many bottled varieties are high in calories, fat, salt, and even sugar. While you’re still benefiting from the nutrients in the salad itself, the dressing leaves something to be desired.

Healthy salad dressing is easy to make and lets you mix and match your favorite ingredients for a meal you won’t soon forget. The best healthy salad dressing options are made with a vinegar and oil base. Vinegar is low in fat and calories, but adds great flavor to vegetables.

Opt for a heart-healthy oil, such as canola or olive oil, but go easy on it because it is still heavy in calories and fat. Try mixing 1 part olive oil to 3 parts vinegar. The taste will be phenomenal and the oil will help it stick to your salad vegetables.

Creamy dressing

If you prefer a creamy dressing, like ranch or blue cheese, you don’t have to give that up. Use reduced fat buttermilk, mayonnaise or cream to start your dressing. Making your own healthy salad dressing lets you tailor it to your exact taste preferences. If you want a vinaigrette style dressing, try adding herbs and spices to your oil and vinegar base.

Garlic, rosemary, thyme, basil, mint, salt, pepper, onion powder, seasoned salt and lemon pepper are tasty options to try. Fruit juice, such as orange or lemon, also pairs well with an oil and vinegar dressing. If creamy is what you want, add dill, ranch seasoning, salt, pepper or seasoned salt to your low-fat buttermilk, cream or mayonnaise.

Healthy salad dressing doesn’t have to mimic what you find on store shelves. Think outside the box to create new and different flavors that will leave your palate thanking you. If you’re having a steak and vegetable salad, mix a jar of salsa with a handful of crumbled queso fresco and mix it into your salad.

For a spring salad with tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber and zucchini, try blending low-sodium tomato juice with basil and cracked black pepper and drizzle it over your vegetables. For potato salad, mix Dijon mustard, white wine and basil or cilantro and coat the potatoes with it. A splash of balsamic vinegar, olive oil and sliced basil works great for caprese salad.

Experiment in the kitchen, and before you know it you’ll have a whole list of your favorite homemade healthy salad dressings. The only hard part will be deciding which one you want to have on your salad!