Thank you for this answer to my question! It’s exactly what I need to learn! I had no idea that reduced balsamic vinegars are more like maple syrup. Based on what I learned from reading, including your personal comment about being better off avoiding balsamic vinegar, I have decided to remove these from my diet.
I thank you for providing such a complete answer!
I just learn so much from you each and every week!
Best regards,
Noella
Mark Cooper wrote:
Noella - N Jeff has a great post on the sorts of balsamic vinegars you are describing - Infused Balsamic or Balsamic Crack?JeffN wrote:If you are using a basic plain rice, red wine or apple cider vinegars, which have 0-5 calories, I have no problem with it.
If you are using the flavor infused ones (or the reductions or glazes), and they are 30-35 calories per tbsp (or more), understand it is almost the same as using maple syrup and it now counts as an added sugar and you must be very aware of its calorie density, sugar density and its potential impact on blood sugar, caloric intake, etc and its potential to trigger the pleasure trap.
Remember, as I explained in this previous article, concentration is the issue and these infused vinegars are very concentrated. You can think of these as Balsamic Crack
A Date With Disaster: The Pleasure Trap of Whole Natural Foods
And so yes, my guidelines for added sugar would apply to them, which is no more then 5% of calories from added sugars.
For someone consuming 1500 calories, it would allow up to 75 calories, which would be slightly more then 2 tbsp of these flavor infused vinegars.
For 2000 calories, it would allow up to 100 calories, which would be just under 3 tbsp of these vinegars per day.
So, if someone is using more than 2-3 tbsp of these a day, that alone is causing them to exceed my sugar guidelines.
And, if you struggle with the pleasure trap, any amount may be too much.
Speaking personally, I'm very sensitive to added sugar and I've found I'm better off avoiding the balsamics described above. I love Apple Cider Vinegar, so that is mainly what I use. Occasionally, I do use regular balsamic vinegar (the kind that is 5-10 calories per serving); even with that, I can tell a difference.
Mark