Hoisin sauce has 27.6 g sugar per 100 g – sweeter than BBQ sauce. The fermented soybean and plum base delivers both sodium (1 420 mg) and sugar in every tablespoon. Condiments are omitted from food logs 1–80% of the time (Whitton et al., Adv Nutr 2022). Measure when glazing or dipping – the dark colour hides the sugar load.
How should I track Hoisin sauce?
Small amounts of Hoisin 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.