What are the Healthiest Condiments? (And 3 You Should Avoid)

Healthiest Condiments List

Sometimes it isn’t as easy to slap a label on something and call it healthy or unhealthy as it is to put things in a hierarchy and classify them as good –> better –> best or best to worst. When it comes to healthiest condiments, this is especially true because you have to take into account flavor combinations, hidden dangers, and even health benefits.

One example that comes to mind is ketchup. If I had to put things in black and white and list condiments in terms of good or bad, unfortunately, ketchup would end up on the bad list. One might argue that ketchup is made from a fruit/vegetable—the tomato—and therefore should be “healthy,” but not so fast.

Most commercial ketchup includes one of the worst ingredients on the planet: high fructose corn syrup. Yet you can also make your own homemade ketchup with a few simple ingredients, such as tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and onion. Ground chia seeds make for an excellent thickening agent to create the right texture and increase the nutrition value.

Much like ketchup, commercial barbecue sauces also contain a lot of sugars when they don’t need to. You can also create a healthy and delicious barbecue sauce using similar ingredients as the ketchup recipe. Heck, you could even make a ketchup base then add spices and some Worcestershire sauce and voila! Check out the following article for one of my creations: Healthiest BBQ Foods for your Waistline.

Mayonnaise is another tricky one. Commercial mayonnaise includes egg yolks, vegetable oil, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar. You can make your own using avocado oil (or even an avocado), which will lower your omega-6 while still providing more of the heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. By adding spices and seasonings to these concoctions, you can add a ton of flavor without sacrificing your health.

The following are the macronutrient breakdowns of some of the most popular condiments, listed in order of best to worst. And again, this isn’t to say the lower end of the spectrum is inherently bad, but you may want to stick closer to the top of the list or choose to make your own healthier version at home.

The Healthiest Condiments For You

Dill pickle relish (1 Tbsp)

  • 0 calories
  • 0 g fat
  • 0 g carbohydrates
  • 0 g protein

Hot Sauce (1 Tbsp)

  • 1 calorie
  • 0 g fat
  • 0 g carbohydrates
  • 0 g protein

Salsa (1 Tbsp)

  • 4 calories
  • 0 g fat
  • 1 g carbohydrates
  • 0 g protein

Horseradish (1 Tbsp)

  • 7 calories
  • 0 g fat
  • 3 g carbohydrates
  • 0 g protein

Yellow Mustard (1 Tbsp)

  • 12 calories
  • 0 g fat
  • 3 g carbohydrates
  • 0 g protein

Sauerkraut (100 g)

  • 19 calories
  • 0 g fat
  • 4 g carbohydrates
  • 1 g protein

Hummus (1 Tbsp)

  • 23 calories
  • 1 g fat
  • 2 g carbohydrates
  • 1 g protein

Avocado/Guacamole (1 Tbsp)

  • 35 calories
  • 3 g fat
  • 2 g carbohydrates
  • 0 g protein

Plain Greek yogurt (100 grams)

  • 59 calories
  • .4 g fat
  • 3.6 g carbohydrate
  • 10 g protein

Sour Cream (1 Tbsp)

  • 22 calories
  • 2 g fat
  • 0 g carbohydrates
  • 0 g protein

Barbecue Sauce (1 Tbsp)

  • 22 calories
  • 0 g fat
  • 5 g carbohydrates
  • 0 g protein

Sweet pickle relish (1 Tbsp)

  • 20 calories
  • 0 g fat
  • 5 g carbohydrates
  • 0 g protein

Cream Cheese (1 Tbsp)

  • 65 calories
  • 6 g fat
  • 2 g carbohydrates
  • 1 g protein

Butter (1 Tbsp)

  • 70 calories
  • 8 g fat
  • 0 g carbohydrates
  • 0 g protein

3 Condiments you May Want to Avoid

Ketchup (1 Tbsp)

  • 19 calories
  • 0 g fat
  • 4 g carbohydrates
  • .2 g protein

Mayonnaise (1 Tbsp)

  • 90 calories
  • 10 g fat
  • 0 g carbohydrates
  • 0 g protein

Ranch Dressing (1 Tbsp)

  • 73 calories
  • 8 g fat
  • 1 g carbohydrates
  • 0 g protein

Healthiest Condiments: A Recap

Your favorite brand may vary from the Nutrition Facts above. But remember, the healthiest condiments ARE NOT just about the numbers. It’s also about the ingredients. Watch for condiments that contain not only high fructose corn syrup but added sugars of any kind, refined vegetable oils (like safflower, sunflower, corn, etc.), shortening, preservatives like sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate, BHA, artificial colors and sweeteners, MSG, nitrates, and excessive sodium/salt.

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Cristina is a Metabolic Effect L3 Nutrition Consultant and a Precision Nutrition L2 Nutrition Coach. Cristina's passion is to help others discover how great their bodies are meant to feel. Whether you're looking to improve your diet, increase energy levels, manage stress, or simply lead a more balanced life, Cristina provides the guidance, support, and tools necessary to make lasting changes. When she isn’t in the kitchen creating nutritious and delicious recipes, or leading one of our Shape-Up Challenges, Cristina enjoys soaking up the sun on the coast of the Carolinas while raising her two amazing daughters, who are active in soccer and volleyball. Cristina is a firm believer that the most effective way to teach children is through our own actions, which is the driving force behind always seeking new ways to enhance personal health and well-being.

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