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A healthy diet is more than just the foods you eat, but also the condiments you use. Although they might seem harmless, condiments can pack in plenty of ingredients (and some that you might be better off avoiding). For example, condiments like ketchup contain a lot of salt and sugar, which can pose a problem for your diet if you are not keeping it in moderation.
Keep reading for more details.
Ketchup
Ketchup is one of the most popular condiments, and some might think it's a healthy option. However, being made from tomatoes does not mean that it's good for you. Ketchup contains its fair share of salt and sugar, which can add up if you are not careful.
For example, one tablespoon of Heinz ketchup contains 160 mg sodium and 4 g sugar. That might not sound like a lot, but for such a small serving, you should definitely be keeping this particular condiment in moderation.
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According to the FDA, it's a good idea to limit your sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day though, according to the website, "Americans eat on average about 3,400 mg of sodium per day."
Most of this sodium does not come from table salt, but from the processed foods in your diet (condiments included).
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Many ketchup brands also use high-fructose corn syrup in their recipes to sweeten the flavor. High-fructose corn syrup is common in processed foods, but added sugar can pose a problem for people hoping to eat healthier.
According to Mayo Clinic, "Too much added sugar of all kinds — not just high-fructose corn syrup — can contribute unwanted calories that are linked to health problems, such as weight gain, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and high triglyceride levels. All of these boost your risk of heart disease."
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