3 Myths About Mayo You Should Stop Believing

Here’s a bit of food for thought.

Not sure if you should add mayo to your breakfast sandwich or merienda? With so many myths saying that it’s unhealthy, bad for your heart, and promotes obesity, we’re not surprised that you’re thinking twice about including it in your diet.

In an article released by the Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines (NDAP), however, Ma. Theresa Talavera, RND, MSPH puts those wrong notions to rest. Here, we highlight some of them!

Myth # 1: Mayonnaise is unhealthy.

According to the latest National Nutrition Survey conducted in 2013, the average Filipino adult only gets 16.4 percent of the recommended 20 to 30 percent fat intake of the total energy allowance. Of course, this doesn’t refer to just any fat—it has to be good fat. Mayo can help bridge the gap because it contains good fats from soya oil. They aid in the absorption of fat soluble vitamins in vegetables like vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.

Myth #2: It’s bad for your heart.

Contrary to popular belief, mayo actually helps keep it healthy. Real mayonnaise contains omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids, which “lower blood pressure and [help in the] prevention of blood clots, as well as influence blood cholesterol balance,” reports Talavera. While it does have cholesterol, one serving (equal to one tablespoon) contains only 10 mg. That’s just three percent of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended daily cholesterol allowance of up to 300 mg per day.

Myth # 3: It promotes obesity.

Mayo is definitely yummy, especially when used to bind the different flavors of your sandwich ingredients, or even when use to make a classic macaroni salad, but it doesn’t necessarily lead to obesity. At the end of the day, moderation is key. “For any type of food, too much of anything is bad, [but] I think mayonnaise does not pose any health risk in healthy populations,” Talavera assures. Craving for a perfect morning sandwich or midday clubhouse? Check out some creative “fastwich” ideas here!