Balsamic vinegar has 88 kcal and 14.9 g sugar per 100 g. Unlike other vinegars near zero calories, balsamic carries meaningful sugar from grape must. A meta-analysis (Shishehbor et al., Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2017) found vinegar reduces post-meal glucose (SMD −0.60, P = 0.01). Track the drizzle – a generous pour adds 15–20 calories.
How should I track Vinegar, balsamic?
Small amounts of Vinegar, balsamic 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.