Salad Dressing Taste Test
Going green at lunch? Make sure you top your salad the right way
by Brandon Guarneri with Elizabeth M. Ward, M.S., R.D.
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Hidden Valley Ranch Light
Per serving: 80 calories, 0 g protein, 3 g carbs, 7 g fat, 0 g fiber
We loved the rich sour cream and onion flavor.
Our Expert: "With nearly 90% of its calories from fat, Hidden Valley isn't quite as light as it sounds — although it is an improvement over regular. Eat it if you must, but stick to a one- or two-tablespoon portion."
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Wish-Bone Light Blue Cheese
50 calories, <1 g protein, 6 g carbs, 2 g fat, 0 g fiber
Universally despised! Think weak, faux-blue-cheese flavor — sort of like powdered milk with a pungent, chalky aftertaste.
Our Expert: "This dressing is loaded with sodium, which can make you look more puffy than buff. At least it's low-fat — for a blue cheese."
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Ken's Healthy Options Caesar Vinaigrette
50 calories, 1 g protein, 2 g carbs, 4 g fat, 0 g fiber
We like the Romano cheese bite, which is paired with plenty of pepper and a good amount of vinegar to counter the creaminess.
Our Expert: "The calorie level is reasonable, and so is the fat content. There's even a gram of protein. It's a great option."
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Annie's Naturals Lite Raspberry Vinaigrette
40 calories, 0 g protein, 4 g carbs, 3 g fat, 0 g fiber
Definitely our favorite, thanks to a combo of fresh raspberry flavor, a bit of tartness, and a slight satisfying sweetness.
Our Expert: "This is my top pick. There's a good balance between fat and carbs. And it supplies about one-quarter the sodium of the others."
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Newman's own Lighten Up Italian Dressing
60 calories, 0 g protein, 0 g carbs, 6 g fat, 0 g fiber
Newman wasn't Italian. Neither is this potent, lemon-flavored tangy mess. Most MFers thought there were way too many flavors going on here.
Our Expert: "The ingredient list is a bit shorter than most dressings, but watch out: It still has six grams of fat per serving."
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Maple Grove Farms of Vermont Fat-Free Wasabi Dijon
35 calories, 0 g protein, 11 g carbs, 0 g fat, <1 g fiber
We liked it, but with such a strong honey-mustard flavor, and barely any wasabi, it's just your typical Dijon.
Our Expert: "Salad dressing or dessert topping? With 11 grams of carbs, it's the equivalent of eating two and a half level teaspoons of sugar."
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Kraft Free French Style Dressing
45 calories, 0 g protein, 11 g carbs, 0 g fat, 0 g fiber
The weird, glowing orange color creeped us out. Worse: Some said the sickly sweet flavor reminded them of duck sauce.
Our Expert: "It's only 45 calories per serving, but they're all carbs. You'd be better off eating a small whole-grain roll."
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All nutritional information per 2-tbsp serving.
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