Is there such a thing as mayonaise that isn't bad for you?!
Is there such a thing as mayonaise that isn't bad for you?
Since childhood mayonaise has been a crucial element in all of my sandwiches. But being grown up and trying to take care of my body I know I have to do without it. I'm curious about alternatives though. I'm not opposed to mustard but would like something a little more like mayonaise, perhaps a vegan mayo? Are they any good, or are they just as bad for you?
Answers:
There is Vegenaise, which is a vegan mayo, but it's not exactly GOOD for you. Vegenaise contains about 20 fewer calories than traditional mayo, has 9 grams of fat (versus mayo's 12), and 1.5 grams of Veganaise's fat is saturated versus mayo's 3 grams of saturated fat. Vegenaise has NO cholesterol, but mayo has 10 mg. I think Vegenaise tastes better than regular mayo and it's egg and dairy free AND organic (if you get the organic version, that is) as well. It is a little more pricey (about $5 a jar), but it's worth it to me.
You could always go with light mayonnaise. It has only 50 calories or so, but it still contains cholesterol (5 mg). And then there's the heart-health focused dressings like Smart beat and the like.
When I gave up dairy and eggs mayo was one of the things I thought i would miss most. The fact is, on sandwiches I'd order out I'd just have mustard and then drizzle oil and vinegar or a vinaigrette over the lettuce and I didn't miss it at ALL. Sometimes I'll smoosh some avocado on as well - that adds calories but it adds GOOD fat that we SHOULD be including in our diets. My husband, who has been a little slower moving to a vegan diet, still would insist on mayo on his sandwiches at restaraunts until I begged him to try Subway the way I just told you about. He is convinced! We will literally save hundreds of calories by not using mayo when we eat away from home and the the mayo we use at home we know won't clog our arteries (or contribute to factory dairy farms or those awful caged chicken farms).
I hope this helps!
P.S. I second the person who recommended flavorful mustards. There is nothing like a good smoked mustard...mmm...
There are fat free mayonaisses on the market today. They aren't bad for you exactly and at least they are significantly lower in calories, but they provide no nutritional value.
I always used mayo because the sandwich was dry. However, I have found that by using two flavorful, creamy mustards, it is better than mayo. I've tried fat free and reduced calorie mayonaise, but they were disgusting.
Try spreading Maille brand "Provencale" on one side of the sandwich and Maille brand "Au Poivre Vert" on the other. Neither one are nearly as strong as Dijon mustard, so you can use a lot, and hence make the sandwich moist.
Also, try more flavorful breads, especially ones not based on white flour.
I'm sorry, but for me, there's no substitute for real mayo. The low-fat, no-fat mayo's are sweet and more like a salad dressing. I just learned to stop putting mayo on my sandwiches and sometimes I treat myself with a real mayo tuna salad sandwich and it tastes just so much better. As with all things, do it in moderation. =)
If you must go with a lighter mayo, go with the low-fat instead of no fat, they are just ew in my opinion. =)
If you use a small amount or mix it with yogurt ...you can still have the real thing...
I mix it with yogurt when I make ...egg,chicken or tune types of salads