Tomato ketchup has been a staple in UK kitchens for generations, offering a tangy and sweet condiment to various meals, but technically a savoury condiment. But how do syns come into play when it comes to tomato ketchup? In this article, we will explore the syn values of tomato ketchup, whether it’s worth the syns, and potential alternatives you might consider.
What is tomato ketchup?
Tomato ketchup is a sweet and tangy condiment made from tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and various seasonings. In the UK, you can find a variety of tomato ketchup on supermarket shelves, ranging from generic to more specialised varieties.
The most common type of tomato ketchup found in supermarkets is made with high fructose corn syrup, which is a cheaper alternative to sugar. However, there are also more specialised types of tomato ketchup, such as organic and low-sugar options.
The calorie content in tomato ketchup comes primarily from sugar and high fructose corn syrup. A tablespoon of tomato ketchup typically contains around 20 calories.
Tomato Ketchup Syn Values
1g of tomato ketchup is 1.2 calories, a 100g serving of tomato ketchup contains 102 or so calories or 5.1 syns, this gives it a syns per gram ratio of 0.51. Heinz has 102 calories for example, Tesco own brand has 105 the difference in syns is negligible consider the serving sizes. We are looking at bog standard red sauces here and not any crafty or speciality sauces.
Considering that 1 syn is equivalent to 20 calories, this means that 100g of tomato ketchup is worth 5.1 syns, making it a relatively low-syn condiment. No one would ever use 100g in one meal, though.
We know that tomato ketchup is usually poured or squeezed which is difficult to measure so we’ve given the syn value of a tablespoon and a teaspoon here.
A tablespoon of tomato ketchup, which weighs around 15g, contains approximately 15.3 calories. Given that 1 syn is equal to 20 calories, a tablespoon of tomato ketchup is worth 0.76 syns, making it a very low-syn condiment. We’d personally round these up to a single syn.
For scale, a McDonald’s ketchup dip pot weighs approx 20g, 27 calories and therefore 1.35 syns.
A teaspoon of ketchup, which weighs 4 grams, contains approximately 4.08 calories and is worth approximately 0.20 syns based on the typical syn value of 1 syn per 20 calories. With a number that small you may as well either not count it or count is as 0.5.
Is Tomato Ketchup worth the syns?
Tomato ketchup, at 0.38 syns per tablespoon (15g) and 0.05 syns per gram, can be considered a very low-syn condiment. Compared to other sweeteners like honey or sugar, tomato ketchup is a relatively low-syn option.
However, it’s worth noting that tomato ketchup is not particularly nutritious and contains high levels of sugar and salt. While it may be a tasty addition to your meals, it’s important to use it in moderation to stay within your daily syn allowance.
If you are looking for a lower-syn alternative to tomato ketchup, you might want to consider options like reduced-sugar ketchup or homemade ketchup made with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. These options typically have fewer syns and calories.
That being said, if you enjoy the taste of tomato ketchup, incorporating it into your meals in small amounts can still be a viable option while staying within your daily syn allowance.
Tomato ketchup typical ingredients
Tomato Purée, Sugar, Spirit Vinegar, Cornflour, Salt, Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid), Tomato Powder, Rice Flour, Flavouring, Onion Powder, Dextrose, Clove Extract, Garlic Powder.
Prepared from 148g of Tomatoes per 100g of Tomato Ketchup.
The typical ingredients in tomato ketchup are tomatoes, vinegar, sugar or high fructose corn syrup, and various seasonings. Some varieties of tomato ketchup also contain preservatives and artificial colours and flavours.
Tomatoes are the primary ingredient in tomato ketchup, providing a source of vitamins and antioxidants. However, the high levels of sugar and salt in most tomato ketchup can negate some of these benefits.
If you’re looking to incorporate more nutritious ingredients into your diet, consider making your own tomato ketchup using natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup and reducing the amount of salt used. This can be a tasty and healthier alternative to store-bought options.
