Mayonnaise is 75% fat, making it one of the densest condiments. Portion errors for calorie-dense foods reach 50–200% (Almiron-Roig et al., Appetite 2013). A level tablespoon (15 g) adds 102 calories – easy to double without realising. Weigh rather than eyeball to keep mayo from quietly inflating your totals.
How should I track Mayonnaise?
Small amounts of Mayonnaise 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.