Daily Dish for Thursday, July 21st

[justmarvi]

I thought I'd put this up since Denise will be gone today.


Salad Dressing Guidelines

Some say the secret of a delicious salad is in the dressing. But with the numerous varieties of commercial dressings on the market, how can you be sure you're getting a salad dressing that's both tasty and healthy?

The healthiest salad dressings are homemade, using simple ingredients such as extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, lemon or lime juice, garlic, and fresh herbs. By making your own salad dressing you have control over what you eat. Store-bought dressings can be a bit more confusing and require careful reading.

When shopping for dressings, look for those with simple and limited ingredients. Any commercial dressing with less than 3 grams of sugar per 2 tablespoons is permitted on The South Beach Diet™. Watch out for dressings with additional sugar or hydrogenated oils.

There's no need to exclude any particular type of salad dressing (such as Caesar or blue cheese) as long as it fits these requirements. However, do go easy on these creamy dressings. Start by drizzling a small amount on your salad and tossing your salad well. You will still be able to enjoy a flavorful salad without the additional high-calorie punch of typical restaurant portions. Just remember to be careful of low-fat or nonfat dressings, as these often contain added sugar to help improve flavor.