What's in Your Favorite Condiments?

(HealthCastle.com) Condiments add the finishing touches to our meals. Some people insist their scrambled eggs are not quite the same without a squirt of ketchup; others swear that just the right amount of mayonnaise gives their special home-style potato salad its unique taste. There's no question that condiments add flavors to our foods, but did you know most condiments are high in salt, fat, or both? Keep reading to find out how your favorite condiments stack up. When reviewing these numbers, keep in mind that 1 teaspoon of table salt contains 2400 mg of sodium.

What's In Your Favorite Condiments

1. Mayonnaise
   At its most basic, mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil and vinegar or lemon juice held together by egg yolks as a stabilizer. Popular as a base for many dips, spreads, and dressings, regular mayonnaise is a high-fat condiment to be used sparingly when needed. A tablespoon of regular mayonnaise typically contains about 10 to 12 g of fat, depending on brand. The amount of saturated fat and cholesterol varies depending on the type of emulsifier used.
   
   One Tbsp contains: 100 calories and 85 mg sodium
   
   
2. Sour cream
   This condiment is exactly what its name describes: cream that has been "soured" by adding bacteria. It is popular for dips and spreads, or as topping on baked potatoes, chili, ad soups. Regular sour cream is 18% butterfat, but many low-fat or non-fat varieties are available on the market, most of which will have additional thickening agents.
   
   One Tbsp contains: 26 calories and 6 mg sodium
   
   
3. Mustard
   Mustard is a paste made from ground mustard seeds, vinegar, and seasonings or herbs. The type of seeds and seasonings used varies, depending on the ethnic influence.
   
   One Tbsp of yellow mustard contains: 9 calories and 170 mg sodium
   
   
4. Ketchup
   Most commonly made from cooked, pureed tomatoes with spices and seasonings added, ketchup can actually be made with items as varied as peppers or fruits.
   
   One Tbsp contains: 20 calories and 140 mg sodium
   
   
5. Miso
   This Japanese fermented soy bean paste is popular as a base for broth, and is increasingly used in marinades for grilling, roasting, or broiling. It is very high in salt. Because miso is so intensely flavored, just a small amount is needed in each use.
   
   One Tbsp contains: 40 calories and 750 mg sodium
   
   
6. Soy sauce
   Another Asian condiment that has gone mainstream, soy sauce is also very high in sodium - about 300 mg in just a teaspoon. A packet of soy sauce that comes with takeout or delivery usually contains two teaspoons, so just pouring one packet over your meal will ramp up the salt content by 600 mg! If you do use soy sauce frequently, consider switching to the low-sodium version of your favorite brand, which contains 25% to 50% less sodium per serving.
   
   One Tbsp contains: 8 calories and 900 mg sodium