EatingWell Taste Test: Barbecue Sauce

By EatingWell Editors, "Slather on the Sauce," July/August 2007

Find your way down a crowded aisle to a healthier barbecue sauce.

READER'S COMMENT:

"I love love love Dinosaur!!! I grew up in Syracuse area, eating it there, and at the State Fair, and really missed it when I moved to NYC, but they opened a location in Harlem, and I send everyone I know there. And this week at my work...

It’s probably a safe bet to say that most homes have a bottle or three of barbecue sauce in the refrigerator. What easier dish is there in the summer than barbecued chicken? Simply slather on some sauce, head out to the grill and dinner is served.

But have you ever looked at a barbecue sauce label? Most brands list high fructose corn syrup as the first ingredient and contain tons of sodium. Our guidelines for this test were simple: no high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors in the ingredient list, less than 300 milligrams of sodium and 12 grams or less carbohydrate per serving. The worst offender I found on our local supermarket shelves had 540 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrate, two types of sugar and artificial colors. Luckily we found several healthier options.

EatingWell staff tasters: Carolyn Casner, Stacy Fraser, Hilary Meyer, Carolyn Malcoun, Jessie Price
Analysis per 2-tablespoon serving

Barbecue Sauce Taste Test »