Salad dressings are filled with unhealthy fats you don’t need spread across a salad. A lot of dressings can easily add up to 140 calories or more on top of your veggies. It’s not insignificant, especially if you’re someone trying to cut calories.
Why Oil Is Better
Why more Canadians are choosing to buy oil dispensers and opt for oil over dressing is due to several
things.
Although oil is fatty, the right oils contain the good kind of fats, i.e. mono and polyunsaturated fats. Some oils also contain linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, and alpha-linolenic acid which our bodies convert into omega-3 fatty acids. These are all very healthy ingredients that will assist with weight maintenance, brain health, cell growth, and so much more.
What Oil Should I Try?
Oils come in many flavors. There are slight variations between the different oils but one of the common salad oils most people choose is olive oil. It’s fairly middle-of-the-road and is highly adaptable to different meals, from salads to pastas.
There is also sunflower, safflower, flaxseed, and walnut oils. Sunflower is pressed from seeds. Safflower is pressed from the flower. Flaxseed oil is known for its very rich and nutty taste. Lastly, walnut oil is best in anything cold as its taste profile changes drastically when heated, resulting in a bitter taste.
How Much Oil Should I Use?
For every two cups of salad, use about 1 tablespoon of oil. That’s generally the rule. You can choose to use a little bit more or a little bit less depending on what you’re going for. Don’t soak the salad, of course. The less you use, the better. That said, you also don’t want a tasteless dish, either.
If you aren’t happy with this amount of oil, you may want to look at other ingredients you can blend into your salad, such as a fruit like apples or pears, nuts like avocados or peanuts, or whatever you think might help spruce up what’s in front of you.
What Are Some Other Types Of Oil?
- Grapeseed oil is rich in vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene, and has a very light flavor.
- Sesame oil has antibacterial properties and can help prevent cellular damage through actions similar to how antioxidants work.
- Coconut oil is distinctly coconut of course but it can help reduce heart diseases and increase your good cholesterol.
- Canola oil also works, with it having a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids and is an important source of vitamin E.
These are just examples of some of the oils you can use. Replacing your salad dressing is an important step to take for your health and will result in some serious health benefits.
