Red wine vinegar has 19 kcal per 100 g – negligible. Like all vinegars, it may reduce post-meal glucose via slowed gastric emptying (Shishehbor et al., Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2017). Red wine vinegar adds complex flavour to marinades and dressings without adding calories. Focus tracking on the oil and other calorie-dense ingredients in your dressing.
How should I track Vinegar, red wine?
Small amounts of Vinegar, red wine 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.