The Skinny on Veggie Dunking
Are your kids big fans of fresh veggies with dip? Be aware that fat-free dressing may NOT be the most nutritious choice for dipping.
A bit of healthy fat can help raw veggies pack a more powerful nutrient punch, according to research. In one study, participants who ate salads with dressings that had some fat in them absorbed more carotenoids from the vegetables compared to those who used nonfat dressing. Carotenoids are a family of potent antioxidants.
Carotenoids protect against cancer and give fruits and veggies their bright red, orange, and yellow hues. Carotenoids are fat-soluble, which means they need fat in order to be absorbed in the small intestine. Remember, however, that fat is high in calories, so serve your family fat-containing products, such as salad dressing, in moderation. Also, choose salad dressings with healthy fats, such as olive oil or canola oil, which are unsaturated and have a favorable effect on blood cholesterol levels. In a study, people who consumed salads with equal amounts of spinach, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and carrots absorbed more alpha carotene, beta carotene, and lycopene from the salads when they used fat-containing salad dressing.
