Fish sauce has 7 720 mg sodium per 100 g – the saltiest common condiment. A teaspoon (5 g) adds 386 mg sodium, approaching a quarter of the typical 3–5 g daily optimal range. The fermented anchovy base delivers concentrated umami, so small amounts carry outsized flavour. Track every dash – it adds up across dishes.
How should I track Fish sauce?
Small amounts of Fish 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.