Choosing the Best Food Light Mayonnaise for Your Nutritional Diet

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

With regular mayonnaise containing upwards of 90-100 calories per tablespoon, the search for a lighter alternative is a priority for many health-conscious consumers. When asking What is best food light mayonnaise?, the answer goes beyond just calorie count to consider ingredients, taste, and overall quality.

Quick Summary

This guide compares the nutritional profile of light mayonnaise options from brands like Best Foods, Duke's, and Primal Kitchen, highlighting differences in calories, fat content, and ingredients. It provides criteria for selecting the best option based on individual dietary goals, taste preferences, and ingredient transparency.

Key Points

Reduced Calories and Fat: Light mayonnaise significantly cuts fat and calories compared to regular mayo by replacing some oil with water and thickeners.
Watch for Additives: To maintain flavor and texture, some light mayos add sugar, salt, or artificial sweeteners, so reading ingredient labels is crucial.
Healthier Oil Options: For better ingredient quality, seek brands using avocado or expeller-pressed safflower oil rather than heavily processed vegetable oils.
Best Foods Light: A popular choice, Best Foods Light (Hellmann's) offers a taste similar to regular mayo with 60% less fat and is rich in Omega-3 ALA.
Homemade Advantage: Making your own light mayo from high-quality eggs and healthy oils provides complete control over ingredients and avoids unwanted additives.
Prioritize Quality: The 'best' light mayonnaise depends on your goals; prioritize clean ingredients over simply chasing the lowest calorie count.

The Nutritional Breakdown: Light vs. Regular Mayonnaise

To understand why a light version might be a better choice for some, it's helpful to first understand the core difference between regular and light mayonnaise. Regular mayonnaise is a simple emulsion of egg yolk, oil, and an acidic agent like vinegar or lemon juice. This composition results in a high-calorie, high-fat condiment, with about 100 calories and 10 grams of fat per tablespoon.

Light mayonnaise is created by replacing some of the fat and oil with water and other thickeners like modified food starch and gums to maintain a creamy texture. This process significantly reduces the fat and calorie count—often by 50% or more. For example, Best Foods Light Mayonnaise contains 60% less fat and calories than its real mayonnaise counterpart. However, this calorie-saving process comes with a trade-off. To compensate for lost flavor and texture, some brands may add extra sugar, salt, or artificial sweeteners, so it is crucial to read the ingredient label carefully.

Top Contenders for Best Light Mayonnaise

When evaluating different brands, several rise to the top based on a combination of nutritional value and consumer reviews. While taste is subjective, considering the ingredients and overall quality is a smart approach.

Best Foods Light (also Hellmann's)

This is a widely available and popular choice, particularly known for retaining the creamy flavor of its regular version while cutting calories and fat.

Made with cage-free eggs.
Rich in Omega-3 ALA.
Typically uses soybean oil as its base.

Duke's Light Mayonnaise

Favored by many for its tangy flavor and creamy consistency, Duke's Light has earned a loyal following.

No added sugar, which is a significant health benefit.
Same classic Duke's taste and texture as the regular version.

Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo

This brand is a top choice for those prioritizing ingredient quality.

Made with healthier, organic avocado oil instead of processed vegetable oils.
Minimal, clean ingredient list with no added sugar.

Sir Kensington's Avocado Oil Mayo

Another excellent option for avocado oil enthusiasts.

Uses Certified Humane Free Range eggs.
Comes in either a glass jar or plastic squeeze bottle, with the glass option being preferable to avoid leaching.

Comparison Table: Best Light Mayonnaise Brands

To better compare some of the most popular options, here is a breakdown of their key nutritional facts per 1-tablespoon serving based on available data.


Brand	Calories	Fat (g)	Primary Oil	Added Sugar?
Best Foods Light	35	3.5	Soybean Oil	Yes
Duke's Light	50	5	Soybean/Canola Oil	No
Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil	100	11	Avocado Oil	No
Hellmann's Light	35	3.5	Soybean Oil	Yes

Note: Nutritional information can vary slightly by region and product variant.

How to Choose the Right Light Mayo for Your Needs

Selecting the best light mayonnaise depends on your personal dietary and health priorities. Consider the following factors:

Ingredient Quality: If you are concerned about processed ingredients, opt for brands with healthier oils like avocado or expeller-pressed safflower oil, and a minimal, transparent ingredient list.
Added Sugars and Sweeteners: Always check the nutrition facts panel for added sugars. Brands like Duke's offer a no-added-sugar option, while some ultra-low-calorie dressings may use artificial sweeteners.
Flavor and Texture: Taste and texture preferences vary. Some light mayos can be thinner or have a different flavor profile than their full-fat counterparts. Reading consumer reviews can help you find a brand that best matches your expectations.
Allergens: If you have allergies, check the ingredient list for potential allergens like eggs and soy, which are common in many mayonnaise products.

The DIY Alternative: Homemade Light Mayo

For ultimate control over ingredients, making homemade mayonnaise is an excellent option. By using high-quality eggs and healthy oils like avocado or olive oil, you can create a creamy condiment free of unwanted additives and processed ingredients. While it does require a bit more effort, the benefits include knowing exactly what you are consuming and being able to customize the flavor to your liking. Pasteurized eggs are recommended for safety, especially for pregnant women, children, and those with weakened immune systems.

Conclusion: Making the Best Choice for Your Diet

While what is best food light mayonnaise? can seem like a simple question, the answer is complex and depends heavily on individual health goals. For those primarily focused on reducing calories and fat, a brand like Best Foods Light offers a familiar taste with significant calorie savings. However, if your priority is cleaner ingredients and healthier fats, options like Primal Kitchen or Sir Kensington's Avocado Oil Mayo are superior choices. Ultimately, the most nutritious choice is often found by scrutinizing ingredient labels and selecting a product that aligns with both your health objectives and taste preferences, rather than simply focusing on the 'light' label alone. For further insights into healthy food choices, you can explore resources like nutritional websites and guides.

One helpful resource for navigating healthy food choices is the Center for Science in the Public Interest(https://www.cspi.org/).

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is the fat and calorie content. Light mayonnaise replaces some oil with water and fillers like modified starch, significantly reducing calories and fat per serving compared to regular mayo.

Not always, but it is common for brands to add sugar or other sweeteners to compensate for the loss of flavor when fat is reduced. Always check the ingredient list, as some brands like Duke's Light Mayonnaise do not add sugar.

Yes, Best Foods Light Mayonnaise (sold as Hellmann's Light in some regions) is a popular choice known for having 60% less fat and calories than its real mayonnaise and for its good taste. It's made with cage-free eggs but uses soybean oil and contains some additives.

Healthier oil options for mayonnaise include avocado oil and expeller-pressed safflower or canola oils, as they are less processed and contain beneficial fatty acids. Avocado oil is a particularly clean and popular choice.

Finding a good-tasting light mayonnaise often involves a trade-off between health and flavor. Products with higher quality ingredients, like avocado oil mayos, often have good flavor. Reading consumer reviews can also provide insight into taste and texture before purchasing.

In most cases, yes, though you should be mindful of the texture. Light mayonnaise tends to be slightly thinner, which may affect the consistency of some recipes. The flavor is also lighter, so you may need to adjust seasonings.

Alternatives to commercial mayonnaise include making your own homemade version, or using substitutes like Greek yogurt or mashed avocado for a creamy texture with fewer calories.