Salad question

[Synne]

Okay so last night in the grocery store I was comparing Balsamic dressing (organic) with caesar dressing (my fave) and the balsamic had MORE fat and MORE sugar. But it is something a lot of ppl swear by for dieting.

I have ranch dressing at home right now and balsamic, and the ranch has more calories but less sugar and stuff. Why is balsamic 'better' than ranch??

Also, artificial bacon bits... are they okay for this diet? I know chicken bacon in moderation is okay, but I just love me some bacon bits, and I hope it is okay I put a teaspoon of them in my salad this morning.

oh and I want to add: I'M measuring stuff now! it's so funny. I hate measuring and I'm actually teaspooning stuff out. When something says tablespoon, I try to use a teaspoon instead just to train myself to use less of it.

[Camelle217]

i don't know.... in regards to the salad dressing question. I generally use the vinegar/oil or lemon OR i use RANCH (not the low fat either, it has more carbs/sugar) BUT i don't use very much. Sorry that was a bunch of help. HA.

I do use bacon bits... i dont' use the baco's ones don't like those as much as the "Real Bacon Bits" (by hormel i think) I don't use many, but those will "Make" a salad for me. And like you i measure them out and don't put more than a Tablespoon.

FUNNY (sorta) salad story.... Today i went out for lunch with some friends from work. Doesn't happen often, we are teachers... we just have a different schedule today that allowed for more than an 18 minute lunch. ANYWAY... they went to "The Isles" which is an older "bar" that is "famous" for their homemade pizzas. So i had "prepared myself" mentally, and nutritionally for this. I ate some peanuts before we went, so i wouldn't be "Starving" when we got there, had called there yesterday to see if they had salads or anything like that on the menu. They did.

So I ordered the "Chef Salad... ranch on the side" It says it came with HAM, TURKEY, CHEESE, green peppers, onions, tomatoes, radishes, hardboiled eggs... I'm thinking SWEET! PERFECT.

It came.... it was about 2 cups of lettuce, 2 shreds of cheese, and 2 super thin slices of meat (like think REALLY think deli meat) 1 ham, 1 turkey. and some black olives.

I was like UGH. I asked about the other veggies and egg that was missing.... the waitress said... sorry... out of that stuff, it's January, hard go get good produce in. LOL. LOL.

I came back to work and am having some cheese and roast beef slices that i had in the fridge to "amp up the protein".

sorry... just wanted to share...

[Synne]

aw thats a disappointment! No produce at this time of year, what!? That is a pretty poor excuse. Smart thinking, eating the peanuts first.

One time I went to a restaurant that only served chicken caesar salad in a bread bowl. I asked if they could put it in a regular bowl... he said no. !?!??! My boyfriend wasnt complaining though, he left there very stuffed after eating his meal and my bread bowl lol.

I'm the same way bacon bits MAKE my salad. I just have the no name brand artificial stuff and it doesnt have that much bad stuff in it.

I have always bought the regular salad dressing, I mean most people say you have to have to have to eat the low fat but I just cant enjoy the taste. If I'm passing up a burger and fries to eat a salad, I deserve that little bit of ranch dressing!! The lettuce cancels it out anyways right LOL!

[Judynyc]

If you haven't already seen them, we have official food lists and meal plan charts on page 41 of the South Beach Babes thread. It will give you info on salad dressings and fats in general.

When I found those lists and charts, I printed them all up and used as reference as I learned the plan. I suggest you do that too. :agree:

We are allowed turkey bacon...I've never seen chicken bacon.

I mostly use Good Seasons and mix it with EVOO and balsamic vineagr...I love it vinegary!! :yum: When I do use bottled dressing, I use full fat and pay close attention to portion size...usually 2 Tbs! :idea: :D

[Synne]

chicken bacon is less fat then turkey bacon I THINK. I swear by it, it is great stuff.

Yeah I'm measuring everything now!

I've taken a look at a lot of different info on south beach dos and donts, but it just seems in general everyone says balsamic is so much better but I dont see a huge difference in that and ranch or something like that. I am being very careful how much I put in my meals. I bet it will make a big difference.

I will check out that thread, thank you.

[hk-lowcarb]

I just measure out olive oil & then I measure out some vinegar right onto the salad.

Mr. Husband and I keep our feta in jars w/ olive oil, some garlic cloves, and various herbs from our garden. I usually use that oil, so it's kind of flavored (even when I don't actually put the feta on my salad).

I recommend experimenting w/ putting 2 to 3 peeled garlic cloves in a jar w/ some olive oil, basil, and some rosemary. You can keep adding more oil, but don't have to change the garlic or spices for a while.

We rarely use bottled dressing because it's more expensive than using our own oil and vinegar.

[shy__anne]

My husband is a vegetarian so we eat soy bacon instead of the real sutff sometimes. It's basically got the same net carbs as real bacon. It tastes pretty good, of course it's not the real stuff but marriage is about compromise, yeah? Anyhow, I think bacos are fine if you count the carbs. Balsamic vinegar, as far as I have heard, is made with sugar and cooked down to make it more...intense I guess? Anyway, I use it sparingly and now when I do eat it, it seems really sweet to me.

[~Renee~]

My husband is a vegetarian so we eat soy bacon instead of the real sutff sometimes. It's basically got the same net carbs as real bacon. It tastes pretty good, of course it's not the real stuff but marriage is about compromise, yeah? Anyhow, I think bacos are fine if you count the carbs. Balsamic vinegar, as far as I have heard, is made with sugar and cooked down to make it more...intense I guess? Anyway, I use it sparingly and now when I do eat it, it seems really sweet to me.
We do not count carbs on SB. As for the Bacos, it would be better to eat real bacon, IMO.

[Camelle217]

I recommend experimenting w/ putting 2 to 3 peeled garlic cloves in a jar w/ some olive oil, basil, and some rosemary. You can keep adding more oil, but don't have to change the garlic or spices for a while.


this sounds GREAT!!!! I'll have to try it!!!

[shy__anne]

Wow, ok. I didn't realize SB didn't count carbs. I'm not really very familiar with it. Anyhow, I think the small amount of bacos that you put on your salad would be fine, IMHO

[webb15]

I have seen many threads say to look at page 41 of South Beach babes. Can someone send me a message telling me how to find this information. I plan to start the South Beach soon and this information would be helpful.

[meliss310]

It is the support forum in the south beach section. Scroll about half way down the page to a thread titled "South Beach Babes--Take Two", then go to page 41.

[Judynyc]

I have seen many threads say to look at page 41 of South Beach babes. Can someone send me a message telling me how to find this information. I plan to start the South Beach soon and this information would be helpful.

Here ya go:
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?p=7218589#post7218589

[hk-lowcarb]

this sounds GREAT!!!! I'll have to try it!!!


Hi Camelle,

I keep the jar in the fridge and often add some canola oil to the olive oil - otherwise the olive oil will go solid. If you do want the utterly pure olive oil - just put the jar in some warm water for a few minutes and then the olive oil will go liquid again.

Also useful for teaching children about phase change (solid to liquid) with something other than ice & water. :)

[mssusthang]

I think when you see "balsamic dressing" it is more refering to balsamic vinegar and olive oil ... I try to stay away from prepared dressings (even organic) because they invariably have too much fat (or the wrong kind of fat) and/or sugar in them.

Especially anything with "vinargette" in the title ... I find that anything also made with balsamic vinegar always has added sugar.

[Synne]

Thanks guys. I am sticking with my ranch, I know it is worse then other options, but you know what, IT MAKES ME HAPPY! lol. I think at this point I am doing so well, its not an issue with me. I have to prioritize things and dressing is not on the list. Just gotta keep myself on track.

Say it with me: Coke is bad, Coke is bad, Coke is bad.

[~Renee~]

Since reading this thread, seems all I find while looking for veggie recipes online are ones that call for balsamic. Now, I remember trying balsamic vinegar a number of years ago and not liking it, but I'm thinking I may give it another shot.

[Judynyc]

Thanks guys. I am sticking with my ranch, I know it is worse then other options, but you know what, IT MAKES ME HAPPY! lol. I think at this point I am doing so well, its not an issue with me. I have to prioritize things and dressing is not on the list. Just gotta keep myself on track.

Say it with me: Coke is bad, Coke is bad, Coke is bad.


Nothing wrong with Ranch dressing....just try to watch the sugar content in store bought. If it makes you happy...that is what is most important!! :agree:

[iris43]

I just measure out olive oil & then I measure out some vinegar right onto the salad.

Mr. Husband and I keep our feta in jars w/ olive oil, some garlic cloves, and various herbs from our garden. I usually use that oil, so it's kind of flavored (even when I don't actually put the feta on my salad).

I recommend experimenting w/ putting 2 to 3 peeled garlic cloves in a jar w/ some olive oil, basil, and some rosemary. You can keep adding more oil, but don't have to change the garlic or spices for a while.

We rarely use bottled dressing because it's more expensive than using our own oil and vinegar.

I just wanted to point out that storing garlic in oil is a big no no! :)
see http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/datastorefiles/234-11.pdf

Botulism is a real risk. The commercially prepared garlic in oil has been processed properly but just putting garlic cloves in oil at home is a HUGE risk! Be safe! :)

As for the salad question re: balsamic is the original poster referring to purchased "balsamic vinaigrette"? Because I'm sure they add sugar. Just make it yourself, so easy, just mix olive oil and balsamic to your taste and shake it up...in Modena Italy some actually take "shots" of balsamic daily to live longer!