Condiments That You Should Probably Skip Altogether
By Genevieve Cunningham
Condiments are a way of life. OK, that might be a little extreme, but as Americans, we certainly like our flavors. We like to add condiments to all kinds of foods including salads, raw veggies, fries, and more. Unfortunately, condiments aren't always a healthy choice. In fact, they can often add hundreds of unnecessary calories. If you're one who likes to drown your food in flavor, take a look at these condiments you should probably stay away from if you intend on maintaining a healthy diet.
Syrup
This probably comes as a surprise to absolutely no one. Syrup is full of sugar and useless calories. It definitely makes our pancakes and waffles taste better, but it provides zero nutritional content. If you simply can't survive without syrup, look for as healthy of an option as you can find. This might mean doing away with some of the sweetness and it will take some adjustments to your taste buds, but it will allow you to eat your favorites without sacrificing too much.
Salad Dressing
Not all salad dressing is bad for you, but many kinds contain a ton of calories and lots of fat. In fact, a favorite salad dressing -- Ranch -- is among the fattiest choices out there. But there's definitely good news. Because people have noticed that salad dressing isn't super healthy, companies have started making healthier options. You can get many of your favorites with fewer calories and much less fat. Or if you want to choose super healthy, you can simply look for a good recipe and make your own.
Ketchup
We all love ketchup, but it's just not healthy. Ketchup is based on tomatoes, it's true, but in order to get that sweet flavor, a ton of sugar has been added. Dipping your fries in ketchup, though delicious, isn't always a healthy choice. While you may be able to find a slightly healthier ketchup option, you may have to eat this condiment as sparingly as possible in order to enjoy the flavor without bringing harm to your health.
Flavor is a good thing. When things taste good, it makes us feel good in both body and mind. But adding flavor shouldn't be done to the detriment of your health. Make sure you're choosing healthy condiments so that you can enjoy a full menu with bursts of flavor and rock solid nutritional value.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.