Mayonnaise is one of those condiments that is very polarizing. You either absolutely love it or you hate it. It is rare for people to be indifferent to the spice. I used to hate mayonnaise because my parents put it on every single sandwich they made me and it was an overwhelming amount.
But mayonnaise is a great cooking tool for a variety of things.
It tastes delicious in potato and pasta salads, on burgers, sandwiches and much more that you probably don’t think of. If you suffer from acid reflux disease, you’re probably thinking about which foods and spices you should eliminate or at least minimize from your diet. How about mayonnaise?
Is mayonnaise sour?
The answer to this question might be good news if you hate mayonnaise, but bad news if you enjoy it. Mayonnaise is acidic. The pH of mayonnaise is around 4. It can vary between 3.8 and 4.2, but the average pH is around 4. Regardless, all of these numbers indicate that mayonnaise is acidic.
Mayonnaise is made from eggs and vinegar. Both eggs and vinegar are acidic ingredients, which is why mayonnaise is also acidic.
Can I eat mayonnaise for acid reflux?
Technically, you can eat whatever you want with acid reflux. However, if you are looking for foods and condiments that will relieve your unpleasant acid reflux disease symptoms, you should avoid consuming mayo or at least limit the amount of mayonnaise you consume.
If you can’t imagine eating a sandwich without mayonnaise, choosing low-fat mayonnaise would be a good option. Since fatty foods tend to be acidic, choosing a lower-fat option can ease symptoms experienced when consuming them.
If you have severe symptoms from your acid reflux, consuming mayonnaise may not be a good idea for you. Listen to your body and if you feel good eating mayonnaise, feel free to continue. However, if you get painful symptoms from consuming it, it is better to avoid it.
You can always discuss this with your doctor to better understand what is right for your body.
Is mayonnaise good for you?
Even if you know next to nothing about mayonnaise, you probably assume it’s not that good for you. If that’s your assumption, you’re right. Remember that everything is fine for you in moderation. But overall, mayonnaise is not good for us.
Traditional mayonnaise contains about 40% oil, which is more than the human body needs in a day.
A single serving of mayonnaise has about 90 calories and is high in fat because it is made from egg yolks and oils. Some low-fat and vegan options aren’t nearly as bad for you, but they don’t always have the same taste as traditional mayonnaise.
Where does mayonnaise come from?
Love it or hate it, mayonnaise didn’t just fall from heaven. If you’ve ever wondered where this spice comes from, I have a story for you.
Mayonnaise as we know it today only appeared in France in the 19th century, when someone combined eggs, vinegar and oil. However, historians have reason to believe that the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Rome used a combination of oil and eggs long before a chef in France prepared this preparation.
Many condiments use mayonnaise as a base
I hate to break this to all the mayonnaise haters, but many of your favorite condiments use mayonnaise as a base. If you say you hate mayonnaise, you might reconsider your opinion when you find out what condiments mayonnaise uses as a base. Here are some condiments that traditionally use mayonnaise as a base:
- Ranch-Dressing
- Aioli
- Remoulade
- Thousand Island Dressing
Of course, there are ways to make these sauces and condiments without mayonnaise if you really can’t stand it or avoid it because of your heartburn.
Mayonnaise loving countries
Mayonnaise was and is a very popular condiment in Europe. In fact, in the Netherlands people dip french fries in mayonnaise more often than ketchup. In many parts of the world, it’s hard to imagine that mayonnaise is the most popular condiment, but in some countries it definitely is.
For those of you who love mayonnaise, check out these countries that love mayonnaise!
Russia is by far the country that loves mayonnaise. Russia is followed by most Eastern European countries, including Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Estonia, Poland and Latvia. Some Western European countries that love this creamy spice include the Netherlands and Belgium.
Mayonnaise-Ersatz
Whether you’re looking for a substitute for mayonnaise because it’s acidic or because you can’t stand the texture or taste, there are plenty of options available to you. There are vegan mayonnaise options and other products that have nothing to do with mayonnaise but go well with common dishes that mayonnaise goes into.
Greek yogurt is a fantastic mayo alternative. It’s much healthier for you but mimics the look of mayonnaise. It is still silky and provides the slightly spicy taste of the mayonnaise. The next time you eat a burger or sandwich, adding a little Greek yogurt might change your tune.
Low-fat cottage cheese is another substitute for mayo. It has many of the same properties as Greek yogurt, another alternative, but is slightly saltier, making it great for use in potato and pasta salads.
Tzatziki sauce is one of my favorite substitutes for mayonnaise. This blend of yogurt, dill, cucumber, garlic, and lemon is a delicious sauce that goes well with anything you would normally add mayonnaise to. It’s great for dipping French fries, slathering on a burger, or as a base for your potato salad.
Other uses for mayo
Did you know that you can use mayonnaise for so much more than just a condiment for your food? You can use mayonnaise as a cleaning agent. It’s handy for removing dirt on your floors and walls, as a hair mask to make your hair feel softer and silkier, or even as an exfoliator for your skin.