Salad dressing, mayonnaise-type, light
Whole food · Fats and Oils
Photo: Wikipedia
Light mayonnaise-type salad dressing is a creamy, tangy emulsion designed to mimic the richness of traditional mayonnaise with significantly fewer calories. It typically has a smooth, pourable texture and a mild, slightly acidic flavor profile. Nutritionally, it provides a moderate amount of fat and carbohydrates, with the latter often coming from added sugars.
Calorie split: 2% protein · 41% carbs · 57% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for delivering the familiar, satisfying creaminess of mayonnaise at a reduced calorie cost, making it a versatile staple for quick sandwiches, potato salads, and as a dip. Its mild flavor acts as a blank canvas that complements a wide range of other ingredients.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Some versions can be high in sodium and added sugars, which may not be ideal for those monitoring blood pressure or blood sugar. It often contains egg, a common allergen, and may include preservatives or stabilizers. To counteract this, use it in controlled portions, pair it with fiber-rich vegetables and lean protein to blunt any glycemic response, and always check the label for allergens and sodium content.
Key benefits
- Lower in calories and fat than full-fat mayonnaise
- Provides a creamy texture without heavy saturated fat
- Can make vegetables and salads more palatable
- Offers a convenient, ready-to-use flavor base
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'light' or 'low-fat' version of mayonnaise-type dressing often achieves its texture by replacing some of the oil with water and thickening agents like modified food starch or xanthan gum.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 71.2 g |
| Energy | 158 kcal |
| Energy | 662 kj |
| Protein | 0.65 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 10.0 g |
| Ash | 1.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 16.4 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 6.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 5.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.12 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 2.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 13.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 36.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 833 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.07 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.40 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.03 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.01 mg |
| Folate, total | 6.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 6.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 6.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 14.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.04 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 2.0 ug |
| Retinol | 2.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 3.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 2.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 13.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 13.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.72 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) | 19.5 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.5 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 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.0 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.46 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.3 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 5.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 5.0 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.66 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 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 | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Salad dressing, sesame seed dressing, regular — USDA does not publish this profile for Salad dressing.
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.05 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.05 g |
| Leucine | 0.08 g |
| Lysine | 0.14 g |
| Methionine | 0.03 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.09 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.10 g |
| Valine | 0.07 g |
| Arginine | 0.40 g |
| Histidine | 0.03 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.46 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
How does light mayonnaise differ from regular mayonnaise?
Light mayonnaise is made with less oil, which reduces its fat and calorie content. To maintain a creamy texture, it often includes thickeners like starch or gum, and may have added sugar or sodium to compensate for flavor.
Is light mayonnaise a good source of protein?
No, it is not. With only about 0.65 grams of protein per 100 grams, it contributes negligible protein to a meal.
Can I use light mayonnaise for baking?
It's not recommended. The altered fat-to-water ratio and added thickeners can negatively affect the texture and rise of baked goods, which typically rely on the specific properties of full-fat mayonnaise or oil.
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 1.58 kcal/g · 2% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 6.7 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: 23.14 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.