BBQ sauce has 33 g sugar per 100 g – nearly as much as jam. A standard 30 ml squeeze adds 52 calories, mostly from sugar and corn syrup. Condiments are omitted from food logs 1–80% of the time (Whitton et al., Adv Nutr 2022). Track every squirt; BBQ sauce is the condiment most often treated as calorie-free.
How should I track Barbecue Sauce?
Small amounts of Barbecue Sauce add up faster than most people realize. A systematic review (Whitton et al., Adv Nutr 2022) found that condiments are among the most frequently omitted items in food logs — skipped 1–80% of the time. A tablespoon of mayo or dressing can add 50–100 calories, and most people use two or three tablespoons without measuring. The fix is simple: keep a teaspoon or scale near your plate and measure once. Sauces and dressings are often the hidden reason a "healthy" salad ends up at 600+ calories.