The Salad Dressing Brand Nutritionists Say You Should Ditch
If you’re trying to make healthier choices, one common salad dressing might be sabotaging your efforts. Nutritionists are urging Americans to reconsider Ken’s Steak House Thousand Island dressing, a popular choice that’s loaded with hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, and excessive sodium.
While salads are often seen as a healthy meal option, the wrong dressing can turn them into a nutritional disaster—and this dressing tops the list of ones to avoid.
Why Ken’s Thousand Island Is a Concern
Ken’s Steak House Thousand Island dressing might taste delicious, but its nutritional profile is far from ideal. A standard two-tablespoon serving contains 140 calories, 13 grams of fat (including 2 grams of saturated fat), and a whopping 300 milligrams of sodium. That’s 13% of your daily sodium limit in just a small drizzle—and most people use more than the recommended serving size.
One of the biggest red flags is the inclusion of high fructose corn syrup as one of its primary ingredients. This added sugar not only contributes to inflammation but also spikes calorie content without offering any nutritional benefits. Combined with unhealthy fats and preservatives like potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate, this dressing is more about indulgence than health.
Hidden Dangers in Store-Bought Dressings
Nutritionists warn that many store-bought dressings, especially creamy varieties like Thousand Island, Caesar, and Ranch, are packed with unhealthy ingredients. These include:
- Added Sugars: Often disguised under names like corn syrup or cane sugar, these sweeteners can derail your healthy eating goals.
- Saturated Fats: Found in mayonnaise-based dressings, these fats can contribute to heart disease when consumed in excess.
- Excess Sodium: High salt content increases the risk of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues.
Ken’s Thousand Island checks all these boxes, making it one of the least healthy options available on supermarket shelves.
What Nutritionists Recommend Instead
For those who love creamy dressings but want a healthier alternative, experts suggest looking for options made with Greek yogurt or avocado oil instead of mayonnaise or soybean oil. Vinaigrettes like balsamic or oil-and-vinegar blends are also excellent choices, as they tend to be lower in calories and free from added sugars and preservatives.
Better yet, consider making your own salad dressing at home using simple ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, and fresh herbs. This way, you can control exactly what goes into your dressing and avoid unnecessary additives.
The Bottom Line
While Ken’s Steak House Thousand Island dressing may be tempting for its tangy sweetness and creamy texture, it’s best left on the shelf if you’re serious about maintaining a healthy diet. By swapping it out for a healthier alternative—or making your own—you can enjoy your salads guilt-free and truly reap their nutritional benefits.