When it comes to condiments, mayonnaise and salad cream are two popular choices in the UK. While both can add flavour and texture to sandwiches, salads, and other dishes, they differ in terms of their nutritional value.
In this blog post, we’ll look at the ingredients, nutritional content, and positive and negative health effects of each condiment, and provide tips for choosing a healthier option.
Whether you’re trying to lose weight, manage your sodium intake, or improve your overall health, it’s important to be aware of the ingredients in the condiments you use. Let’s dive in!
Difference between salad cream and mayonnaise
First, let’s take a look at the main differences between mayonnaise and salad cream.
Mayonnaise is made from oil, egg yolks, and vinegar or lemon juice, while salad cream contains similar ingredients, but also includes sugar, mustard and cornflour. As a result, salad cream is sweeter and tangier than mayonnaise.
While both can be used to add flavour and texture to sandwiches, salads, and other dishes, their unique characteristics may make one a better choice than the other depending on your preferences and nutritional goals.
Ingredients in salad cream vs mayonnaise
For the purpose of this comparison, we will compare Heinz salad cream vs full-fat Hellmann’s mayonnaise which are both widely available brands in the UK.
Here are their ingredients compared side by side:
CONDIMENT | INGREDIENTS |
Heinz Salad Cream | Water, Spirit Vinegar, Rapeseed Oil (22%), Sugar, Mustard Powder, Modified Cornflour, Pasteurised Egg Yolks (3%), Salt, Colour – Riboflavin |
Hellmann’s Mayonnaise | Rapeseed oil (78%), water, pasteurised free range EGG & EGG Yolk (7.9%), spirit vinegar, salt, sugar, lemon juice concentrate, antioxidant (calcium disodium EDTA), flavourings, paprika extract |
At first glance, these two condiments appear to be similar – each is made with water, rapeseed oil, eggs, salt, sugar and vinegar. However, there are some key differences:
- Mayonnaise contains a higher amount of oil and eggs than salad cream
- Mayonnaise also contains flavourings and paprika extract which are not present in salad cream
- Salad cream contains mustard powder and Hellmann’s mayonnaise does not
- Salad cream contains a food colouring (riboflavin) while Hellmann’s mayonnaise does not
- Salad cream contains egg yolks while mayonnaise contains both egg yolks and whole eggs
The nutritional content of mayonnaise vs salad cream
When it comes to nutritional content, mayonnaise and salad cream have very different profiles:
- Mayonnaise contains more fat than salad cream and is higher in calories.
- Salad cream, on the other hand, has more sugar than mayonnaise and adds fewer calories to dishes.
Here are the nutritional values for mayonnaise and salad cream per 100g:
NUTRITIONAL VALUES | Hellmann’s Mayonnaise | Heinz Salad Cream |
Calories | 721 | 303 |
Fat | 79g | 23.7g |
– of which saturates | 6.2g | 1.8g |
Carbohydrates | 1.3g | 20.3g |
– of which sugars | 1.3g | 17.2g |
Protein | 1.1g | 1.3g |
Salt | 1.5g | 1.5g |
Omega 3 | 7g | 2.32g |
Salad cream vs mayonnaise: Calories
When comparing the nutritional content of salad cream and mayonnaise, one major difference is the number of calories. Heinz Salad Cream has 303 calories per 100g, while Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise contains 721 calories per 100g. This means that mayonnaise contains more than double the calories of salad cream which makes it a less suitable choice if you’re trying to lose weight or manage your daily caloric intake.
Salad cream vs mayonnaise: Protein and Fat
When comparing mayonnaise and salad cream, mayonnaise has a higher amount of fat per 100g with 79g of fat per 100g compared to Heinz Salad Cream’s 23.7g
Additionally, mayonnaise contains more saturated fat, which is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. However, mayonnaise contains higher amounts of omega-3 fats, which can actually be beneficial for the heart if consumed in appropriate quantities.
In terms of protein, both salad cream and mayonnaise contain low amounts, with Heinz Salad Cream containing 1.3g per 100g and Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise containing 1.1g per 100g.
FAQs:
Which is better for people with diabetes: Salad cream or mayonnaise?
For people with diabetes, mayonnaise may be a better choice compared to salad cream due to its lower sugar and carbohydrate content. However, mayonnaise is higher in fat than salad cream so it’s important to keep portion sizes in mind when consuming mayonnaise.
Which is better for weight loss, salad cream or mayonnaise?
For people trying to lose weight, mayonnaise may not be the best choice due to its high calorie and fat content. Salad cream may be a better choice due to its lower calories and fat content. However, it is also important to take portion sizes into account when consuming either mayonnaise or salad cream.
Salad Cream vs Mayonnaise: Which is More Keto-Friendly for a Keto Diet?
For people on a keto diet mayonnaise may be the better choice as it contains less sugars and carbohydrates than salad cream, making it a better choice for those following a ketogenic diet.
Salad cream or mayonnaise: Which is healthier?
Ultimately, mayonnaise may be less healthy than salad cream due to its higher calorie, fat and saturated fat content. However, portion sizes should be taken into account when consuming mayonnaise or salad cream. In the end, it may be a better choice to opt for salad cream if you’re trying to watch your calorie and fat intake. However, mayonnaise may be a better choice for those on low-carb or keto diets due to its lower sugar and carbohydrate content.
Ultimately, it is important to consider your own dietary needs and preferences when deciding between mayonnaise or salad cream.