Dressings are the draw for many restaurant salads, but the sweet and tangy mixtures can toss lots of extra calories and fat grams into bowls.

DAVE WILLIAMS/McClatchy Newspapers

With modification, favorites become healthier.

First up is Chili's honey mustard dressing, which contains 260 calories and 28 grams of fat in each typical 4-tablespoon serving, according to the Chili's Web site. Lighten it by choosing light mayonnaise and finding a good combination of Splenda and honey. Use a little less mayo along with a bit more mustard and vinegar.

Olive Garden's Italian dressing has 160 calories and 16 fat grams in each 4-tablespoon serving. To slim it, cut the amount of corn syrup, oil and grated cheese while adding extra vinegar.

The trick to thickening Olive Garden's dressing is dry pectin, which often can be found near canning supplies or in the baking aisle.

Outback Steakhouse's Tangy Tomato Dressing has 148 calories and 7.2 fat grams per 4-tablespoon serving, but you can shave 28 percent of the calories by substituting Splenda for sugar.

Combine all of the ingredients with a mixer on medium speed or in a blender on low speed for 30 seconds. Chill at least one hour before serving.

Makes about 11/3 cups dressing.

PER SERVING (2 tablespoons): Calories 71 Fat 5.7 g Trace cholesterol Sodium 300 mg Trace fiber Carbohydrates 5 g Protein 1 g

SOURCE: Adapted from Top Secret Restaurant Recipes

Combine ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, whisking often, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 5 minutes. Cover dressing until cool, then chill in refrigerator.

Makes 1 cup.

PER SERVING (2 tablespoons): Calories 53 Fat 4g No cholesterol Sodium 200 mg No fiber Carbohydrates 7 g No protein

SOURCE: Adapted from Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk until combined.

Makes 1 cup.

PER SERVING (2 tablespoons): Calories 80 Fat 6 g No cholesterol Sodium 147 mg No fiber Carbohydrates 4 g No protein

SOURCE: Adapted from Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2