# Healthy Eating Hacks **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 20, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730 "2010-01-20T19:05:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/41 "2010-01-26T03:00:34Z")
> [@GilaB](#): > > What, you’ve never had honey-mustard dressing? > You can vary the oil (try olive and nut oils as well as your flavorless oil of choice) and the acid (red and white wine vinegars, cider vinegar, rice vinegar, sherry vinegar, flavored vinegars like tarragon or raspberry, lemon or lime juice, etc.), and experiment with other flavorings at will (minced shallots are classic, or try smashing a clove of garlic and letting it soak in the dressing for ten minutes (remove before dressing the salad); you can also add minced ginger/garlic, soy sauce, minced herbs, a bit of toasted sesame oil, or anything else that seems tasty.) It’s an incredibly useful basic recipe to have in your repertoire, because you can vary it so widely and put it on so much stuff. Aside from salads, try vinaigrettes on simply cooked vegetables, fish, or chicken. They MAKE raspberry vinegar!? It’s ON the shopping list for tomorrow night 😃 And I’ve heard of honey-mustard dressing - I’m partial to it myself - but never mustard in a vinaigrette. It sounds yummy, though, and I didn’t get around to mixing it in tonight, but will tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![GilaB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/42 "2010-01-26T03:05:21Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > They MAKE raspberry vinegar!? It’s ON the shopping list for tomorrow night 😃 I think it’s something that was wildly trendy for a while (the 80’s as fancy food, the 90’s for the non-foodie world), and has now gotten harder to find. I’ve never seen it kosher-certified, so I’ve never actually had it myself and can’t say if it’s good or bad. ---
**Author:** ![beatlejuice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a8b319/32.png) [@beatlejuice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beatlejuice)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/43 "2010-01-26T17:05:41Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Dried fruit is kind of high in calories, actually… 1/2 cup raisins is 200+ calories; about the same calories as 4 cups of grapes. > > I am a big fan of Bacon Salt. Sprinkle a little bit on green beans, and pretend you cooked 'em with bacon! nom nom nom. Where does one purchase this oft mentioned bacon salt? Is it in the reg supermarket? Who makes it? ---
**Author:** ![Sehmket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Sehmket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sehmket)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/44 "2010-01-26T17:26:20Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > They MAKE raspberry vinegar!? It’s ON the shopping list for tomorrow night 😃 > > And I’ve heard of honey-mustard dressing - I’m partial to it myself - but never mustard in a vinaigrette. > > It sounds yummy, though, and I didn’t get around to mixing it in tonight, but will tomorrow. I even picked up some Pomegranate flavored vinegar a few months ago. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/45 "2010-01-26T17:45:32Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > And I’ve heard of honey-mustard dressing - I’m partial to it myself - but never mustard in a vinaigrette. Honey-mustard dressing is a vinaigrette. At least, every honey-mustard dressing I’ve ever had is a vinaigrette. Salad dressings mostly fall into the following categories: \*\*Vinaigrettes \*\*(Italian Dressing, the aforementioned Honey-Mustard, etc) **Mayonnaise-based dressings** (blue cheese, garlic mayo, Russian, Green Goddess) \*\*Dairy-based \*\*(some blue cheese dressings are dairy based, Ranch dressing, Buttermilk dressing, Yogurt-cucumber, etc) **Coulis or Salsa based** - these are pretty unusual, but I thought I’d include them because you occasionally see them. Taco salads usually are dressed with a liquidy salsa, for example. A coulis is pureed fruit or vegetables, and you occasionally see them - I’ve seen Guacamole types of dressings made from avocado, for example, or the occasional fruit-based dressing. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/46 "2010-01-26T17:49:45Z")
Want a snack? Dill pickles are almost entirely carb and calorie free. Every jar I’ve looked at lists the calories as zero, which means it’s less than 5 (they can round down,) which is still pretty darn small. As long as you don’t need to watch your sodium, it’s a great choice. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/47 "2010-01-26T18:08:04Z")
> [@beatlejuice](#): > > Where does one purchase this oft mentioned bacon salt? Is it in the reg supermarket? Who makes it? Apparently it is sold in some supermarkets but I buy it on ye olde Internette: > **[Bacon Salt | J&D’s Specialty Foods LLC](https://baconsalt.com/)** > > J&D’s Specialty Foods is all about the flavor of bacon! Our Bacon Salt products make everything taste like bacon. Whether you're a bacon lover, vegetarian, or follow a kosher diet, you can savor the flavors of J&D's Bacon Salt and enjoy the... ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/48 "2010-01-26T18:19:52Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > Where do you buy baking paper or how is it labeled at the store, or do you simply use parchment? So far as I can tell from looking at product descriptions, baking paper and parchment are the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Emily\_Litella](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emily_litella/32/3370_2.png) [@Emily\_Litella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emily_Litella)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/49 "2010-01-26T18:53:29Z")
> [@myskepticsight](#): > > Muscle Milk Light in chocolate milk flavor is pretty yummy, but it’s also the only one I’ve had. My guy made me shakes before with it, some ice, and skim milk. Makes a pretty good ice/milkshake. I’m sorry I take so long to get back to threads… I have CVS brand chocolate protein powder which is decent, it’s the only kind I’ve tried so far, but I’ll look for Muscle Milk. Skim Plus is great skim milk, it’s thicker than skim milk. Another thing I do if I want a sandwich spread, I use light mayo and make Russian dressing by adding ketchup and sweet pickle relish. Sometimes I add yellow mustard. It cuts down on the fat some. There’s quite a few things in this thread that are on my shopping list now. ---
**Author:** ![Gesturing\_Mildly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/65b543/32.png) [@Gesturing\_Mildly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gesturing_Mildly)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/50 "2010-01-26T20:51:20Z")
Thanks for all the great ideas, guys. I picked up some of those sandwich thins and they are quite yummy. Back to protein powder - Muscle Milk isn’t bad, but I don’t really like the fake sugar taste. It seems to be the favorite, though. Last night I made a ranch “spread” out of Hidden Valley Ranch powder and plain nonfat Greek yogurt. Came out to something like 5 calories a tablespoon. Put that, two shredded slices of turkey, and some bagged cole slaw mix in a bowl and yummed it up. ---
**Author:** ![Richie\_Incognito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e36b37/32.png) [@Richie\_Incognito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richie_Incognito)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/51 "2010-01-26T21:32:09Z")
Here are my tips: Ravioli is much lower in calories and carbs than pasta. You need to read the labels but there are a few brands where you can have 7-8 large raviolis for under 400 calories! Large kaiser rolls are lower in calories than 2 slices of bread and much more filling. Ground turkey is a great subtitute for ground beef. I’ve done sausage links, meatballs, meatloaf, burgers, etc. All low in calories, low in fat and high in protein. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/52 "2010-01-26T22:01:32Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > Honey-mustard dressing is a vinaigrette. At least, every honey-mustard dressing I’ve ever had is a vinaigrette.. Huh, the only honey mustard I’ve ever had had a creamy consistency, like the mayo-based ones. **Gesturing Mildly** and others, you should try [Isopure plus](http://www.isopureplus.com/). It’s in the prepared drinks section with Boost and Glucerna and the like, I’ve only found it at chain drug stores (CVS and Rite Aid) but it might be in larger grocery stores too. I hate the fake sugar/thick taste of Muscle Milk light, but this tastes like fruit juice. I have it after the gym. I’m SO going to try the ranch mix with greek yogurt. I bought one of those “lite” dip containers from the store, but it’s loaded with gook. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/53 "2010-01-26T22:12:23Z")
> [@Gesturing\_Mildly](#): > > Last night I made a ranch “spread” out of Hidden Valley Ranch powder and plain nonfat Greek yogurt. Came out to something like 5 calories a tablespoon. Put that, two shredded slices of turkey, and some bagged cole slaw mix in a bowl and yummed it up. YES! If you are a mayo fan (as is my hubby, who tries hard to watch his weight), low-fat ranch dressing/ranch dip can make a better sub than low-fat or no-fat mayo (both of which he despises!) You can make tuna salad, chicken or turkey salad, egg salad, etc. by adding low-fat ranch for your moisture instead of the ‘chemical’ taste he says low-fat mayo has, ---
**Author:** ![GilaB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/54 "2010-01-26T22:24:08Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > Huh, the only honey mustard I’ve ever had had a creamy consistency, like the mayo-based ones. If you’re buying it premade in stores, it’s full of all sorts of stabilizers and thickeners that give it a creamy texture and prevent it from separating, but yes,it’s a vinaigrette. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/55 "2010-01-26T23:05:24Z")
> [@Richie\_Incognito](#): > > Here are my tips: > > Ravioli is much lower in calories and carbs than pasta. You need to read the labels but there are a few brands where you can have 7-8 large raviolis for under 400 calories! I don’t follow. Ravioli _is_ pasta. ---
**Author:** ![GilaB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/56 "2010-01-27T00:23:20Z")
I’d guess that what **Richie Incognito** meant was that ravioli can be lower-calorie than unfilled pastas. It makes sense, at least for vegetable fillings, because a bowl of veggie-filled ravioli contains a high percentage of, well, vegetables, which are much less calorically dense than pasta is. Cheese ravioli, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![beatlejuice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a8b319/32.png) [@beatlejuice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beatlejuice)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/57 "2010-01-27T19:28:26Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Apparently it is sold in some supermarkets but I buy it on ye olde Internette: > [http://baconsalt.com/](http://baconsalt.com/) Thanks. I shall look for it. It says 0 calories. Maybe it could be a snack in itself. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/58 "2010-01-27T19:41:16Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > Huh, the only honey mustard I’ve ever had had a creamy consistency, like the mayo-based ones. A properly emulsified vinaigrette _is_ creamy. You should not see layers of oil & vinegar - it should be homogeneous and creamy looking. But yeah, lots of store-bought dressings labeled “vinaigrette” do separate, and you have to shake the bottle to get them to combine. I can see how someone used to those would mistake a well-emulsified vinaigrette for a dairy or mayo based dressing. But truly, you shouldn’t see layers, if you do, it’s broken. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/59 "2010-01-27T19:59:32Z")
I’m trying to think of my healthy-eating hacks. - I put extra frozen veggies in just about everything I cook. Of course fresh are better, but in my kitchen it’s a case of any veggies is better than no veggies. 🙂 - When I’m able to drink carbonated beverages, I mix about 1/4 fruit juice, and the rest of the glass is filled with club soda. - Light cheddar cheese and little turkey sausages are great protein snacks (high protein, low-ish fat snacks can be hard to find). - I add about a 1/4 cup of low-salt cottage cheese to my breakfast cereal every morning to increase the protein. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730/60 "2010-01-28T00:09:12Z")
if you like cottage cheese, add a little grated horseradish to it to make a nice spread. If you add it to [seriously high fibre crackers](http://www.brancrispbread.com/) it is good for you - calcium, protein and fibre, and an explosion of taste. You can even add chopped fresh herbs [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healthy-eating-hacks/525730.md?page=4)