Is Pesto Healthier Than Mayonnaise?

Short answer
In terms of nutrients, yes, pesto is much better for you than mayonnaise. In terms of fat and calorie content, though, pesto is better or worse for you, depending on whether you compare it to full-fat or low-fat mayo.

Long answer
There's such a wide range of mayonnaises on the market that it's hard to generalise which is healthier. When you compare classic pesto to Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise, there is no doubt that it is lower in fat and calories, higher in nutrients, and, we think, a lot tastier, too!

Calories
Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise contains over 700 calories per 100g, while our sauces generally clock in around half of that. So, 1-0 to pesto.

Fat
Hellmann's mayo contains almost 80% fat, of which around 6% is saturated. Pestos generally contain half of both. 2-0.

Protein
The protein content of pesto varies widely, but it almost always exceeds Hellmann's meagre 1%. 3-0.

Salt
Naturally, salt content differs from pesto to pesto, but if it clocks in at around 1.5%, it's a draw with Hellmann's. 4-1.

Low-fat mayonnaise
Hellmann's Lighter Than Light mayonnaise contains just 68 calories per 100g and less than 3% fat. If you are following a low-fat or low-calorie diet, this beats pesto hands-down.

The downside is that you'll have to be happy eating titanium dioxide, potassium sorbate, and calcium disodium.

Think we'll stick with pesto, thanks.