We all use condiments. You can put them on just about anything. Ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise are classic on burgers. Ketchup, mustard and sauerkraut are standard fare for hot dogs. Depending on where you’re from, eggs can be topped with virtually anything – salt, pepper, ketchup, salsa, or tobasco. You can salt and pepper just about anything. Where I come from, we even put peanut butter on cheeseburgers. The point is, we all use condiments to add flavor to our foods. Just imagine some of your foods without your favorite toppings. That’s a pretty tough prospect. Luckily, Fat Loss 4 Idiots doesn’t ask you to sacrifice your condiments. Just remember to take it easy one the tobasco (ketchup, mustard, horseradish, etc.)

Hidden Calories

Condiments can make or break our favorite dishes. With Fat Loss 4 Idiots, you aren’t being asked to give these up. That would be crazy. Your food would be too bland, boring, and generally unenjoyable. Assuming your fat loss didn’t fail under these circumstances, you would lose all passion for food, and that’s not the point – you’re trying to lose fat, not your love of food. But there is a caveat: these condiments are a sneaky source of calories. Obvious choices such as peanut butter and butter are very rich in calories, and we all know to use these sparingly, if we choose to use them at all. Some other condiments, though, might not be such obvious sources of calories. Jelly, jams, and preserves are typically reasonable additions to food, but with upwards of 50 calories in a mere tablespoon, the calories can add up quickly. Even ketchup and mustard can get sticky quickly. Although there are only 15 calories in a tablespoon of ketchup, even these can make a difference. It’s important to watch out for these hidden calories, because even though they seem extraordinarily insignificant, an excess of 12 calories per day can result in a gain of one pound of fat over the course of a year. That means only a single tablespoon of ketchup per day can cause us to gain a pound of fat each year!

More Than Just Calories!

There’s more than calories to look out for in these condiments. Something as seemingly harmless as soy sauce – virtually calorie free – is typically chock full of sodium. Barbeque sauce is not only a source of calories, but these come in the form of simple sugars (a low GI source of carbohydrates). Additional pitfalls include salad dressings, mayonnaise, peanut butter, and butter. These condiments are usually loaded with fat. Recall that fat, unlike carbs and protein, can be stored directly as fat, without any form of conversion; all excess dietary fat will be stored as fat.

Not to Worry

Even though condiments seem as though they might single-handedly be the source of fat gain and obesity, they are not so bad. Remember, Fat Loss 4 Idiots has given you a convenient meal plan to follow, so as long as you follow the diet, you needn’t worry about overeating. Just don’t go overboard on your toppings! As long as you use them to add flavor to your foods, condiments are a fun source of flavor, and can keep your diet varied and full of flavor. If you need to add flavor to a food, choose your favorite condiment(s) and add it in moderation, and don’t worry about gaining fat. Just don’t smother your food in sauce!