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There are probably more condiment containers in your fridge right now than fresh groceries. We love them because they have a long shelf life and are perfect for adding flavor to any dish! With the addition of a condiment, we can customize any dish to exactly what we want. We can add sweetness or spiciness to just about anything. Unfortunately, there are some condiments that can derail you from achieving your fitness goals. Being informed about which condiments will help or hurt can make all the difference in your results.
Ketchup with its sweet and tangy taste is the king of the condiments. It might not be high in calories, however quantity and ingredients are the big problem. We love squeezing out huge portions of it, multiplying the serving size and racking up the calories and sugar. A great substitution for ketchup is salsa. It’s super easy to make and has fresh ingredients. You can also add spice with jalapeno peppers!
Mayo is a popular spread for sandwiches because we love the creamy texture. Although flavorful, it’s super high in fat. Try switching from mayo to hummus. Hummus is made with chickpeas that are high in healthy fats, protein, and fibre. Hummus is also great because it mimics the creamy texture of mayo.
Nothing tastes better than adding flavor to a boring and bland salad, however Ranch dressing is not the way to go! It’s a heavy hitter high in both fats and sugars. Sub it out with prepared mustard. It’s low in calories and high in flavor . It packs a powerful punch meaning you don’t need as much which helps control portions. Add some olive oil and balsamic vinegar and you’ve got a tasty and healthy salad dressing.
Going to a barbeque? Skip the sugary BBQ sauce! Instead try some hot sauce on your burger or steak sandwich. Similar to mustard, hot sauce is flavorful so you don’t need a lot of it! Not a hot sauce fan? Try a fresh salsa recipe instead!
Another creamy condiment we love is sour cream. It’s perfect for fajitas or on a baked potato, however it has a lot of fat. A great alternative is guacamole. Guacamole is made from avocados, which are a superfood that contain healthy fats that help build muscle. It’s really easy to make and has a cool smooth texture just like sour cream!
Try out some of these other healthy condiments:
