If you are trying to lose weight you know how difficult it can be to keep track of how many calories are in your foods as well as the fat sodium, etc. In many cases your food is topped with condiments, sauces and other toppings that pack the calories. They can easily add to any weight problem without you even realizing it.
When you cook your own meals at home this issue will generally not be a problem if you already know the calorie and fat content of any condiments, but when you eat out at various restaurants it can really come into play.
The big problem with various condiments is that they are mainly just carbohydrates and quickly turn into fat in your body. Depending on circumstances in many cases the difference between being overweight and thin is due to condiments.
Calorie Content In Condiments
Here is the calorie content of several common condiments. Some of these may surprise you.
Soft margarine - 2 teaspoons 67 calories
Mayonnaise - 1 tablespoon 110 calories
Ketchup - 1 tablespoon 16 calories
Cream Cheese - 1 ounce 98 calories
Ranch Dressing - 1 tablespoon 100 calories
Gravy - 1tablespoon 100 calories
Now, ask yourself if you only include 1 tablespoon of ranch dressing on your salad? How about the gravy on your mashed potatoes?
As you can see, these condiments and many others can really add the fat to any diet. And it's easy to see how they are so often overlooked by most people. You just never give it a second thought when putting ketchup on the burger and fries.
To their credit, many of your nicer restaurants are putting the condiments on the side today. They allow you to add them yourself or leave them off entirely. This makes things a little easier, but understands that if you do use them, they are still high in calories and fats.
No one is saying you have to eat your food "dry", but you have to be careful in your choices. Use less "sauces" to reduce the calories and use more olive oil. By making healthier choices you will be able to lose weight faster and get the kind of body you have always wanted.
