Is Pesto Fattening?

Short answer
Many people ask us if pesto can make you fat, and the simple answer is that overeating it and not getting enough exercise can lead to weight gain.

Long answer
You may have seen jars of pesto in the supermarket with red and amber warning labels indicating high levels of fat and salt, respectively. That's largely because most pesto sauces contain generous amounts of oil, nuts, and cheese. All three are high in fat and calories, so overeating pesto too regularly and not getting enough exercise can ultimately be fattening.

There is one major caveat, though. There are so many pestos for sale today that you cannot assume they are all created equal. We've seen a truffle pesto containing 61% fat while a low-fat vegan pesto containing just 18%. Look at all the pestos for sale in the UK, though, and you'll find that, on average, they have a fat content of around 35%. In anyone's book, that's a very high-fat food.

On the flip side, it's essential to remember that a small amount of pesto goes a long way, and most people don't need to use as much of it as they think. That's especially true if you stick to our recommended serving size and loosen your sauce with some of the starchy water your pasta cooked in.

This brings us neatly to the pasta. One of the main problems with pesto is that it is mostly eaten with pasta. That means that you'll be eating a meal that is both high in fat and high in carbohydrates, and that's not a great combination for people who are watching their weight.

Pesto is far more versatile than just being something to stir through pasta. One of our favourite, guilt-free ways to eat pesto is to use it instead of other high-fat condiments, such as mayonnaise. Pesto makes for a cracking BLT, and by switching the mayonnaise for pesto, you'll probably find you'll be using less and, therefore, saving calories.

It doesn't stop at sandwiches, though. A little dollop of pesto can instantly improve dips, soups, marinades, and much more. We have many suggestions for other ways to use pesto here.