Salad dressing, mayonnaise, imitation, soybean
Whole food · Fats and Oils
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a smooth, creamy, pale-yellow condiment made primarily from soybean oil and water, designed to mimic the rich mouthfeel of traditional egg-based mayonnaise. It has a mild, slightly tangy flavor and a thick, spreadable texture that coats ingredients evenly. Nutritionally, it's a dense source of fat and calories, with minimal protein or fiber.
Calorie split: 1% protein · 27% carbs · 73% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its familiar, comforting creaminess and its ability to instantly elevate the texture of a dish. It's a budget-friendly, shelf-stable staple that makes quick work of potato salad, coleslaw, and sandwich spreads.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
It is very high in fat and calories, which can contribute to weight gain if used excessively. The soybean oil is often high in omega-6 fatty acids, which in large amounts may promote inflammation. Those watching their blood sugar should note the added sugar. To counteract, use strict portion control (a tablespoon or less), and pair it with fiber-rich vegetables or lean protein to balance the meal.
Key benefits
- Provides a creamy texture without dairy or eggs
- Source of vitamin E from soybean oil
- Adds moisture and richness to sandwiches and salads
- Often lower in cholesterol than full-fat mayonnaise
- A versatile base for many homemade dressings and dips
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
This type of mayonnaise is a key ingredient in Japanese 'kewpie' style dressings and is often used as the base for the savory, umami-rich 'fry sauce' popular in Scandinavian countries.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 62.7 g |
| Energy | 232 kcal |
| Energy | 969 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 | 6.0 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 | 497 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.11 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 1.6 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 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 | 14.6 mg |
| Betaine | 0.30 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 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) | 2.0 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) | 42.2 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 |
| Phytosterols | 62.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| 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 imitation mayonnaise differ from real mayonnaise?
Traditional mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil, egg yolk, and an acid like vinegar or lemon juice. Imitation mayonnaise replaces the egg yolk with other emulsifiers (like modified food starch or soy protein) and often uses water to lighten the texture and reduce cost.
Is it suitable for vegans?
Often yes, as it contains no egg products. However, you should always check the label, as some formulations might include dairy derivatives or other animal-derived ingredients.
Why is it so high in calories?
Like most mayonnaise, it is primarily made of oil, which is 100% fat. Fat contains 9 calories per gram, making it a very energy-dense food.
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 2.32 kcal/g · 1% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 6.0 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: 49.70 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.