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Salads are a staple with many dieters. It’s full of healthy fiber that keeps you fuller, longer and good for your vitamins and minerals from the fresh produce. Although it may seem like a great idea to use fat-free salad dressing in lieu of the regular variety—don’t, it may be slowing your metabolism.
Fat-free dressings are lower in calories than their full-fat counterparts, but they often contain more added sugar and salt. The debate on whether or not fat is good for you is still going on. Often health providers and health-care organizations suggest that people eat foods with lower fat to combat obesity and for better heart health. While this is true, unfortunately, pre-packaged “low-fat” foods often add more sugar and salt to help make the product more palatable.
The whole reason you use salad dressing is to enhance the flavor of the vegetables. Traditional high-fat salad dressings can actually help the body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and antioxidants from leafy greens, carrots and tomatoes. If you are skipping the fat, you are missing out on that opportunity.
Low-fat and fat-free salad dressings don't contribute any health benefits to your meal. The best salad dressing for your health is made from wholesome, low-sugar ingredients. Pick one made with natural fats such as olive oil, which provides benefits for heart health, and natural sugar (not corn syrup) like honey to flavor your salads.
Although it’s better for your health-wise to use full-fat salad dressing, don’t go overboard. Calories are still calories. Use the full-fat dressings in moderation.
