Skip to main content
Tired woman showing effects of lack of sleep on her face.
Creamy banana nice cream in a bowl with toppings.
Jennifer Lopez at 2025 American Music Awards in stylish outfit.

Food

The One Condiment You Should Never Use Because It Causes Instant Weight Gain

February 26, 2021 by Hannah Kerns
shefinds | Food
Featured image

Condiments are an easy way to add a boost of flavor to your favorite meals. Unfortunately, flavor is not the only thing you’ll be adding. Many condiments contain high amounts of sugar, fat, and calories, which can become a real problem if you are not paying close attention to portion size. Not to mention, you’re probably adding condiments to foods that are already less than diet-friendly, like burgers and fries.

With that in mind, keep reading for the one condiment that you should be keeping in moderation, especially if you want to lose weight.

house unit img
Women Are Swapping Their Boring Water For This Ice Pop Electrolyte Mix!
mayochup

Fry Sauce

Fry sauce, which is a ketchup-mayonnaise combo, is one condiment that you definitely want to limit. Although the exact measurements may vary, this sauce is typically made with one part ketchup and two parts mayonnaise. It also might be listed in certain menus as "special sauce" or "mayochup."

 

Here's why you should be wary of this sauce: Both ketchup and mayonnaise are two condiments that can hold up weight loss. Keep reading for more details.

fries and ketchup

Ketchup

Since it is partially made from tomatoes, ketchup is often downplayed as an unhealthy condiment. However, that does not mean you should load up on it. In reality, this condiment contains its fair share of sugar and calories.

 

According to Popsugar, "Ketchup is fairly high in sugar, nearly four grams of sugar per tablespoon (and many of us use a lot more than one tablespoon!). This can add up quickly in terms of calories and added sugar in an entire meal, especially when considering this is just the condiment."

mayonnaise

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is another condiment you should keep an eye on. According to Food Network, "There’s no doubt that mayo is brimming with fat. One cup contains 1440 calories, 160 grams fat, and 24 grams saturated fat. It is an excellent source of vitamins E and K, but  it also contains almost 50 percent of your daily recommended amount of sodium."

 

With those numbers in mind, it's a good idea to limit how often you use this condiment--whether solo or in fry sauce.

Author:

Associate Editor

Hannah Kerns pitches and writes compelling stories for SheFinds' readers. When she isn't listening to podcasts or catching up on true crime, she covers the latest in beauty, health, fashion, and celebrity news. To reach Hannah, email hannah@shefinds.com.

Close-up of steaming spearmint tea with fresh leaves
Variety of different types of bread on a table.
Costco bakery section filled with delicious baked goods.
Woman holding her head in distress or pain.
Woman experiencing joint pain while sitting down.
Celebrity event with fans capturing moments with phones.
Assorted drinks from Dunkin', Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks.
Woman adding sugar to a cup of aromatic coffee.
Wooden board with bagels, blueberries, and butter.
Comparing cooking spray and olive oil in a kitchen.
Brazilian dish featuring rice, beans, and chicken.
Person checking the time while enjoying breakfast.
Display of deli meats and sandwich products in a store.
Cooked salmon served with rice and greens on a plate.
Inside view of a Costco store with shoppers.
Woman taking magnesium supplements from a bottle.
Selection of s'mores brownies and baked goods from Aldi.
Grilled chicken breast with fries and fresh salad on a plate.
Frozen pizza displayed in a grocery store aisle.
Fried fish served with crispy fries on a plate.
Close-up of steaming spearmint tea with fresh leaves
Variety of different types of bread on a table.
Costco bakery section filled with delicious baked goods.
Woman holding her head in distress or pain.
Woman experiencing joint pain while sitting down.
Celebrity event with fans capturing moments with phones.
Assorted drinks from Dunkin', Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks.
Woman adding sugar to a cup of aromatic coffee.
Wooden board with bagels, blueberries, and butter.
Comparing cooking spray and olive oil in a kitchen.
Brazilian dish featuring rice, beans, and chicken.
Person checking the time while enjoying breakfast.
Display of deli meats and sandwich products in a store.
Cooked salmon served with rice and greens on a plate.
Inside view of a Costco store with shoppers.
Woman taking magnesium supplements from a bottle.
Selection of s'mores brownies and baked goods from Aldi.
Grilled chicken breast with fries and fresh salad on a plate.
Frozen pizza displayed in a grocery store aisle.
Fried fish served with crispy fries on a plate.