Is Relish Bad For You?
Also Known As: pickled cucumber jam
Short answer
In large quantities, relish can be bad for you. It’s low in fat and calories, but many varieties are high in sugar and sodium. Plus, relish is generally added to hamburgers and hot dogs—food that’s not great for you in the first place.
Recommended Alternative
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Relish originated in India, and many different varieties can now be found all over the world. That’s because the word “relish” basically refers to any kind of chopped vegetable or fruit that’s been pickled and cooked.
Here in America, most of us know relish as the sweet yet simultaneously tart topping that gets added to our hot dogs and hamburgers at barbecues, ball games or food carts. That type of relish is frequently used to describe the green, pickle or dill kind that’s made from finely chopped pickled cucumbers. It’s most commonly used as a condiment, but it’s found in many variations of tartar sauce as well.
So if relish is made from vegetables, it can’t be all that bad for you... right?
One tablespoon of your average sweet pickle relish only contains 20 calories and less than one gram of fat, along with some vitamin C. However, it also includes over four grams of sugar and 122 milligrams of sodium. Those numbers might not seem that bad for one tiny tablespoon—but consider how quickly this adds up over time. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that the average adult limit themselves to 1500 milligrams of sodium per day. One tiny serving of relish already accounts for over 8 percent of your daily recommended value.
Over time, eating too much sodium can lead to serious health problems. That’s because sodium binds the water in our bodies and builds up in the bloodstream, gradually increasing blood pressure. As the pressure elevates, your heart is forced to work harder to circulate blood, placing a strain on your arteries and organs. Eventually, high blood pressure or hypertension lays the framework for illnesses like heart disease and stroke.
Of course, relish all on its own probably won’t give you hypertension. However, consider just what it is you’re putting relish on. As previously mentioned, relish is commonly added to hamburgers and hot dogs—foods that are already loaded with fat, calories and sodium.
The key to healthy living is a balanced diet. And while relish does have a couple of redeeming qualities (it’s a healthier choice than say, adding chili sauce to your hot dog), it’s generally not the best choice. You’re only adding more sugar and sodium to foods that aren’t good for you in the first place. You should skip relish entirely—or opt for fresh vegetables on your turkey burger instead.
Possible long-term side effects
- hypertension
-
heart disease
-
stroke
Benefits
- contains vitamin c
-
low in calories
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Woodstock Organic Relish
- Organic Ingredients
- Sweet Relish Flavour
- Convenient 16 oz Size
- Package of Two
- Non-GMO Project Verified
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