Mayonnaise, low sodium, low calorie or diet
Whole food · Fats and Oils
Photo: Wikipedia
Diet mayonnaise is a light, creamy condiment engineered to mimic the rich mouthfeel of traditional mayo with significantly fewer calories and less sodium. Its texture is typically smooth and spreadable, though it can sometimes lack the luxurious, velvety thickness of full-fat versions. Nutritionally, it offers a low-protein, moderate-fat profile with a notable carbohydrate content from added sugars and thickeners.
Calorie split: 1% protein · 27% carbs · 73% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its ability to add a creamy, tangy richness to sandwiches, salads, and wraps without the heavy calorie load of traditional mayo. Its versatility makes it a staple for those seeking lighter versions of classic dishes like tuna salad or coleslaw.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Diet mayonnaise can sometimes have a slightly artificial or thin texture, and its higher carbohydrate content (from sugars and thickeners) may cause minor blood-sugar spikes in sensitive individuals. To counteract this, pair it with protein-rich foods like grilled chicken or eggs, and use it in controlled portions to avoid overconsumption of added sugars.
Key benefits
- Lower calorie density than regular mayonnaise
- Reduced sodium content for heart-health conscious diets
- Provides a creamy texture without full-fat calories
- Useful as a base for lighter sauces and dressings
- Can help reduce overall calorie intake in sandwiches and salads
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Diet mayonnaise often uses modified starches or gums like xanthan to replicate the thick, emulsified texture of full-fat mayo, which is why it can feel slightly different on the palate.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 62.7 g |
| Energy | 231 kcal |
| Energy | 967 kj |
| Protein | 0.30 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 19.2 g |
| Ash | 1.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 16.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 4.2 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 0.00 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 0.00 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 0.00 mg |
| Potassium, K | 10.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 110 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.11 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.00 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.00 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 1.6 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.01 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 8.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.06 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 6.4 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 24.7 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.3 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.4 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.90 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.5 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.5 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 10.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 9.0 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 1.6 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 24.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Salad dressing, mayonnaise, imitation, soybean without cholesterol — USDA does not publish this profile for Mayonnaise.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
How does diet mayonnaise differ from regular mayonnaise?
Diet mayonnaise is made with less oil and often includes thickeners or sugars to maintain texture, resulting in fewer calories and less fat but sometimes more carbohydrates.
Is diet mayonnaise suitable for low-carb diets?
It may not be ideal for strict low-carb diets due to its higher carbohydrate content from added sugars and thickeners, so check the label for net carbs.
Can I use diet mayonnaise in cooking and baking?
Yes, it works well in cold dishes like salads and sandwiches, but it may not hold up well under high heat due to its altered fat content.
What are the common allergens in diet mayonnaise?
Most diet mayonnaise contains eggs (a common allergen) and sometimes soy or mustard, so always check the ingredient list if you have allergies.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.31 kcal/g · 1% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 4.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 11.00 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.