A diverse tossed salad filled with dark leafy greens, veggies like carrots and celery, and a protein source like nuts, seeds, or legumes is one of the healthiest meals you can eat. But as anyone who has ever ordered a salad at a restaurant can tell you: what you put on top of your salad can make or break it.
Why undo your healthy eating efforts by coating salad with sugar-laden salad dressings that give very little nutritional benefits back? Stick to this one salad dressing that actually helps get rid of belly fat and is healthier than its competitors and you'll reap far more benefits from that delicious, nutritious salad.
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Olive Oil And Balsamic Vinegar
Many store-bought salad dressings are loaded with sodium, fat (including saturated fat), calories, and added sugar. Even more concerning: some salad dressings contain carcinogens and ingredients like soy lecithin, which has been known to cause bloating, diarrhea, stomach problems, and even skin rashes.
The best salad dressing is one you can whip up at home without relying on a pre-prepared, pre-packaged formula that contains preservatives. The healthiest salad dressing is one that isn't a dressing until you blend two simple ingredients together: extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Vinegar and Oil Benefits
Olive oil contains healthy unsaturated fats that can lower cholesterol levels, but that fat content has another added benefit: it can actually help you burn more fat (and belly fat). Because less than 2 grams of fat in olive oil are from saturated fat, the unsaturated fat content lowers insulin levels, which makes it easier for your body to use stored fat as energy. Eating more good fats usually means you're taking in fewer carbohydrates — and this is certainly true when you drizzle olive oil and vinegar on a salad. Both ingredients are carb-free and relatively low in calories (particularly balsamic vinegar, which has about 3 calories per tablespoon).
Make Your Own Oil And Vinegar Dressing At Home
If you're ready to make the switch to olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing, be careful not to reach for any old store-bought blend of the two ingredients. Many brands add sugar to their oil and vinegar dressing, which negates the benefits. Whip up your own dressing at home by combining 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil with 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, plus a pinch of salt and pepper. Voila — that's all it takes to create the perfect, healthy dressing that tastes amazing and helps get rid of belly fat.
