Sweet and sour sauce is 38% carbohydrate with 18.8 g sugar. A 30 ml dipping portion adds 46 calories, mostly from sugar. The sauce contributes zero fat but significant carbs that are easy to overlook in a stir-fry log. Measure dipping portions – pouring from a bowl leads to 2–3 times the intended amount.
How should I track Sweet and Sour Sauce?
Small amounts of Sweet and Sour 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.