This post has been updated since it was originally published on January 27, 2021.
One of the best ways to start eating healthier is to take a closer look at your condiments. They might seem relatively harmless, but they can add a lot of sugar, sodium, and calories to your meals if you are not careful. Likewise, keeping condiments in moderation can allow you to enjoy your favorite foods while staying mindful of what you are putting in your body.
With that in mind, keep reading for the 5 condiments you’re going to want to stop eating because they cause stomach fat and bloating.
Barbecue Sauce
According to Prevention, a 2 tbsp serving of barbecue sauce has 12 g of sugar, making it one condiment you'll definitely want to skip. Although it may be delicious, you'll want to plan on keeping this particular condiment in moderation (or reserving it for special occasions).
Try to keep in mind that you could be getting more sugar (and calories) than you bargained for if you are loading your food with barbecue sauce.
Mayonnaise
The only way to lose weight is to enter a calorie deficit, and using mayo regularly could make that way more difficult.
If you use 2 tbsp of mayonnaise, you could be adding up to 200 calories to your meal. Likewise, mayo can turn almost any food into a calorie-heavy and unhealthy indulgence. If you do use mayonnaise, definitely keep it to a minimum or look out for lower calorie options.
Sweet Relish
Sweet pickle relish, which should be a straightforward and relatively healthy condiment, is often the opposite. According to Aloha, you should "take a look at the ingredient label on most sweet relishes - you will see artificial coloring, preservatives, and lots of sugar."
With that in mind, try making this condiment at home to limit the amount of processed ingredients. Keep this recipe in mind.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is another one you'll want to keep in moderation for health reasons. Healthline explains, "Soy sauce is high in sodium, which is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure."
Too much salt can also lead to uncomfortable bloating, so it's definitely a good idea to limit how often you're using this condiment.
Ketchup
Ketchup is high in sugar and sodium, so it's probably be a bad idea to use this condiment too regularly. Not to mention, ketchup is usually paired with unhealthy food options (for example, burgers and fries).
Having this condiment in moderation is important to keep yourself healthy and to keep bloat at bay.
