Introduction
Salads are often thought of as a healthy meal option, but the truth is that the dressing you choose can make or break the nutritional value of your salad. Many store-bought dressings are loaded with unhealthy ingredients like sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats. In this article, we will be looking at the 20 unhealthiest salad dressings on the planet. We will discuss the ingredients in each dressing, as well as the nutritional information for each one. We will also provide some healthier alternatives for those looking to make a healthier choice. So, if you’re looking to make a healthier salad, read on to find out which dressings you should avoid.
20 Unhealthiest Salad Dressings on the Planet
Salad dressings can make or break a salad. While some dressings are healthy and nutritious, others can be loaded with unhealthy fats, sugars, and sodium. Here are 20 of the unhealthiest salad dressings on the planet.
1. Creamy Caesar Dressing
Creamy Caesar dressing is a classic, but it’s also one of the unhealthiest salad dressings. It’s usually made with mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and anchovies, all of which are high in fat and calories. A single 2-tablespoon serving of creamy Caesar dressing contains 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
2. Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing is another popular dressing that’s high in fat and calories. It’s usually made with mayonnaise, buttermilk, and herbs, and a single 2-tablespoon serving contains 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
3. Thousand Island Dressing
Thousand Island dressing is a creamy dressing that’s usually made with mayonnaise, ketchup, and pickles. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
4. Blue Cheese Dressing
Blue cheese dressing is a creamy dressing that’s usually made with mayonnaise, blue cheese, and buttermilk. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
5. Honey Mustard Dressing
Honey mustard dressing is a sweet and tangy dressing that’s usually made with mayonnaise, mustard, and honey. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
6. French Dressing
French dressing is a classic dressing that’s usually made with oil, vinegar, and spices. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
7. Avocado Dressing
Avocado dressing is a creamy dressing that’s usually made with avocado, mayonnaise, and lime juice. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
8. Bacon Dressing
Bacon dressing is a creamy dressing that’s usually made with bacon, mayonnaise, and sour cream. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
9. Sesame Ginger Dressing
Sesame ginger dressing is a sweet and tangy dressing that’s usually made with sesame oil, ginger, and soy sauce. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
10. Poppy Seed Dressing
Poppy seed dressing is a sweet and tangy dressing that’s usually made with oil, vinegar, and poppy seeds. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
11. Balsamic Vinaigrette
Balsamic vinaigrette is a tangy dressing that’s usually made with oil, vinegar, and herbs. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
12. Green Goddess Dressing
Green goddess dressing is a creamy dressing that’s usually made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and herbs. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
13. Italian Dressing
Italian dressing is a tangy dressing that’s usually made with oil, vinegar, and herbs. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
14. Creamy Italian Dressing
Creamy Italian dressing is a creamy dressing that’s usually made with mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and herbs. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
15. Honey Dijon Dressing
Honey Dijon dressing is a sweet and tangy dressing that’s usually made with honey, Dijon mustard, and oil. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
16. Chipotle Ranch Dressing
Chipotle ranch dressing is a creamy dressing that’s usually made with mayonnaise, chipotle peppers, and buttermilk. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
17. Miso Dressing
Miso dressing is a creamy dressing that’s usually made with miso paste, mayonnaise, and sesame oil. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
18. Salsa Dressing
Salsa dressing is a tangy dressing that’s usually made with salsa, mayonnaise, and sour cream. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
19. Hot Bacon Dressing
Hot bacon dressing is a creamy dressing that’s usually made with bacon, mayonnaise, and hot sauce. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
20. Creamy Garlic Dressing
Creamy garlic dressing is a creamy dressing that’s usually made with mayonnaise, garlic, and herbs. It’s high in fat and calories, with a single 2-tablespoon serving containing 140 calories and 14 grams of fat.
Salads look like the right meal for weight reduction. They’re filled with greens, you may add protein-packed lean meat, and with some hearty toppings like nuts or avocado, you get your fill of heart-healthy fat, too.
However you may immediately damage this waist-friendly meal in the event you attain for a bottle of dressing. You’d by no means dump a number of packets of sugar or a glop of excessive fructose corn syrup in your lunch, but that is what you are getting with a few of these grocery retailer favorites. And whereas heart-healthy oils like olive oil will help you take in the nutritional vitamins out of your salad veggies, many of those are made with low-cost and inflammatory vegetable oils, which might be worse for you than sugar.
So once you’re eager about constructing your wholesome salad, avoid these unhealthy salad dressings. For those who’re actually seeking to make more healthy decisions, add any of The 7 Healthiest Meals to Eat Proper Now to your rotation!
Per 2 Tbsp (30 mL): 0 energy, 0 g fats, 290 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 0 g protein
Because of the Protected Ingesting Water and Poisonous Enforcement Act of 1986, you may discover this label on this dressing: The California Proposition 65 Warning states, “This product incorporates a chemical identified to the state of California to trigger most cancers, start defects or different reproductive hurt.”
Do not be fooled by the calorie and fat-free diet—this dressing is much from innocent. Whereas it could not derail your weight loss plan, it may have detrimental results in your well being.
Per 2 Tbsp (31 g): 60 energy, 5 g fats (0.5 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 440 mg sodium, 2 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 0 g protein
One serving of this dressing has practically one-fourth of your day by day sodium consumption—and that is in the event you stick to 2 tablespoons. Extra salt consumption is linked to elevated blood strain, a better threat of coronary heart illness, and sabotaged weight-loss targets. It additionally causes bloating, so reducing down on sodium is likely one of the quickest methods to flatten your stomach.
Per 2 Tbsp (34 g): 90 energy, 6 g fats (1 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 350 mg sodium, 9 g carbs (0 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 0 g protein
Together with a excessive sodium rely, this dressing incorporates eight grams of sugar. Yikes!
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Per 2 Tbsp (30 mL): 130 energy, 13 g fats (2 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 310 mg sodium, 2 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 0 g protein
Cayenne pepper can increase your metabolism and stop overeating. Nevertheless, its waist-whittling results are canceled out by the sodium and fats content material on this dressing.
Per 2 Tbsp (35 g): 45 energy, 0 g fats, 300 mg sodium, 12 g carbs (0 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 0 g protein
Excessive fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is the second ingredient on this dressing—therefore the 10-gram added sugar rely. This dressing will get a serious skip.
For some better-for-you choices, take a look at these 10 Wholesome Salad Dressing Recipes to Make.
Per 2 Tbsp (30 g): 140 energy, 13 g fats (2 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 240 mg sodium, 4 g carbs (0 g fiber, 4 g sugar), 0 g protein
What do you get once you glop 13 grams of fats, corn syrup, and chemical preservatives over your salad? A fattening, cancer-causing, flat stomach nightmare. If we have not scared you but, take a look at these 40 Habits That Make You Sick and Fats.
Per 2 Tbsp (34 g): 80 energy, 5 g fats (1 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 250 mg sodium, 8 g carbs (0 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 0 g protein
In contrast to precise mustard, which incorporates cancer-fighting phytochemicals, honey mustard would not do a factor on your well being (or your waistline). It is laborious to seek out one which’s made with simply honey and never HFCS, making Kraft’s an exception. Nonetheless, it is nonetheless obtained 250 milligrams of sodium and 7 grams of sugar. Subsequent!
For some higher dressing decisions, take a look at these 10 Wholesome Salad Dressing Manufacturers to Purchase.
Per 2 Tbsp (30 g): 35 energy, 1.5 g fats (0 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 290 mg sodium, 5 g carbs (0 g fiber, 4 g sugar), 0 g protein
This dressing would not supply a lot, aside from a salty aftertaste. Whereas it will not depart you with bulging love handles, it isn’t going to be your flat-belly answer, both.
Per 2 Tbsp (30 mL): 170 energy, 17 g fats (1.5 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 320 mg sodium, 2 g carbs (0 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 1 g protein
You fill your plate with a plethora of superfoods like kale, cabbage, bell peppers, carrots, and even chickpeas. You prime it with a chunk of lean grilled rooster and a glopping mound of Brianna’s Basic Buttermilk Ranch. You suppose you are doing all your physique a favor, however you overlook that 17 grams of fats continues to be 17 grams of fats, it doesn’t matter what you place beneath it.
As an alternative of utilizing store-bought ranch, strive our Wholesome Do-it-yourself Ranch Dressing Recipe.
Per 2 Tbsp (30 g): 130 energy, 14 g fats (1 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 240 mg sodium, 2 g carbs (0 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 0 g protein
Like Brianna’s Basic Buttermilk Ranch, Newman’s Personal ranch is loaded with fats and sodium.
Per 2 Tbsp (36 g): 70 energy, 0 g fats, 270 mg sodium, 18 g carbs (0 g fiber, 14 g sugar), 0 g protein
With 12 grams of sugar and the primary ingredient being HFCS, you may as nicely prime your salad with synthetic sugar. As Lisa Moskovitz, R.D., founding father of the New York Diet Group, beforehand informed Eat This, Not That!, “excessive fructose corn syrup has been proven to extend urge for food and result in well being issues equivalent to weight problems and diabetes.”
Yeah, yeah, you knew it was unhealthy, however hear us once more: HFCS is unhealthy! Do not consider us? Take a look at What Occurs to Your Physique When You Eat Sugar.
Per 2 Tbsp (29 g): 120 energy, 12 g fats (2 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 350 mg sodium, 2 g carbs (0 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 0 g protein
One phrase: Velveeta. You do not must be a well being skilled to know that topping your salad with this chemical cheese sauce is a serious no-no. It is fatty, salty, and it most likely tastes like a straight-up coronary heart assault.
Per 2 Tbsp (30 g): 120 energy, 13 g fats (1 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 270 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 0 g protein
Italian dressing sounds prefer it needs to be wholesome—it is often simply a mixture of oil, vinegar, and herbs. However Newman’s Personal provides a ton of questionable substances, together with corn syrup, caramel colour, and the elusive “pure taste.” Add to that the 13 grams of fats coming from the bad-for-you vegetable oil, and you’ve got a dressing that is something however wholesome.
Per 2 Tbsp (30 g): 130 energy, 13 g fats (2.5 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 290 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 0 g protein
Chunky is what you may be if that is your go-to salad dressing. Blue cheese dressings, like ranch dressings, are usually calorie bombs, particularly as a result of every two-tablespoon serving is straightforward to bypass in the event you’re pouring straight from the bottle. And 13 grams of fats per serving is nothing to scoff at; this soybean oil-based dressing is a no-go.
Per 2 Tbsp (30 mL): 150 energy, 14 g fats (1 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 280 mg sodium, 5 g carbs (0 g fiber, 4 g sugar), 0 g protein
Whereas the ingredient checklist is much from the worst one on this checklist, this dressing has a dietary profile that is lower than spectacular. As an alternative, prime your greens with calorie and fat-free balsamic vinegar and heart-healthy further virgin olive oil. In the case of diet, simplicity is every thing. P.S. A Purdue College examine discovered that sure wholesome fat—like these in olive oil—have been essential to soak up the complete advantages of the opposite greens in a salad.
And in the event you love balsamic, do not miss our Grilled Strawberry Shortcake with Balsamic Recipe.
Per 2 Tbsp (28 g): 180 energy, 19 g fats (3 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 135 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 0 g protein
Garlic is nice for the physique, however when it is soaked in saturated fat, it isn’t doing you or your social life any favors. That is not the actual cause it ranks so low on our checklist (it is the poor dietary profile!), however possibly you wanted the additional motivation to step away from this salad dressing.
Per 2 Tbsp (30 g): 160 energy, 18 g fats (1.5 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 340 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 1 g protein
The Caesar salad has doubled in measurement and energy during the last 20 years—and with dressings like this one, it is no shock. For starters, Caesar salad is drenched in dressing. Think about you utilize 4 tablespoons (versus the marketed serving measurement of two): You are 320 energy, 36 grams of fats, and 680 milligrams of sodium from the dressing alone. No, thanks! And for the salads to avoid, take a look at these 25 Unhealthiest Restaurant Salads in America.
Per 2 Tbsp (30 mL): 190 energy, 20 g fats (3 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 370 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, <1 g sugar), <1 g protein
For those who’re nonetheless craving that Caesar salad, know that Want-Bone’s model of the dressing is worse for you than the already-bad Newman’s Personal. It packs extra energy and just a bit bit extra sugar.
But it surely’s the ingredient checklist that is probably the most unappetizing right here. The principle ingredient is inflammatory soybean oil, and the dressing makes use of not simply sugar as an ingredient, but in addition corn syrup—yuck!
Per 2 Tbsp (28 g): 120 energy, 13 g fats (2.5 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 180 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 1 g protein
Any dressing with the phrase “creamy” in it’s a pink flag, and this dressing isn’t any exception. With a whopping 13 grams of fats, 2.5 of that are saturated fats, this dressing will damage your salad.
Per 2 Tbsp (29 g): 170 energy, 19 g fats (3 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 250 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 0 g protein
“Buttermilk ranch” is often code for “caloric and fattening dressing,” and Ken’s model definitely suits the invoice. There is a cause it is the worst bottled salad dressing on this checklist. It has practically 200 energy in simply two tablespoons and an astounding 19 grams of fats, three of that are saturated.
With substances like inflammatory soybean oil and “pure taste,” this dressing is a no-go. These are simply a few of our 12 Tricks to Make Wholesome Salad Dressings.
For extra, take a look at these 108 hottest sodas ranked by how poisonous they’re.