I have tried a few vegan mayonnaise alternatives, including Nayonaise and Vegenaise, but the other day at the local grocery store I saw Grapeseed Oil Vegenaise. Since the regular version of Vegenaise wasn’t available, I bought it, but I was worried it might have a funny taste. To be honest, I didn’t really know what grapeseed oil even was, what it tasted like, or anything at all about it.
The mayonnaise alternative came with a little insert with information about grapeseed, basically saying it “is a by-product of wine production” and “studies have demonstrated that grapeseed oil may also be effective in correcting blood cholesterol levels in certain individuals, thereby reducing their risk of cardiac risk.” It also gives a mini-health lesson regarding cholesterol, explaining that HDL is a good type of cholesterol, so higher levels of this type is beneficial, while LDL cholesterol is the bad type, therefore lower levels of this would be better than higher levels. Grapeseed oil has been shown to raise HDL cholesterol levels naturally, which may help reduce the LDL/bad cholesterol. Finally, the insert explains grapeseed oil is “an excellent natural source of vitamin E and essential fatty acids necessary for normal cell metabolism and maintenance.
After reading all of this wonderful news, I was more anxious to try this type of Vegenaise, so I made a sandwich and hoped for the best… It was actually better than original Vegenaise, in my opinion. Original Vegenaise is okay but it can be a bit bland. The Grapeseed Oil Vegenaise is a little more flavorful, more smooth, less pastey even than regular egg-based mayo. It really added a nice flavor to my sandwich, and I have sampled it on different types of sandwiches as well as in pasta salads and other dishes as well, so it’s not only good for sandwiches but great in other foods.
Grapeseed Oil Vegenaise is made with solar power by a company called Earth Island in California. It contains no preservatives, no cholesterol, no dairy, and no eggs. It’s 100% vegan and certified organic. The jar I purchased was a 16 fluid ounce (1 pint) glass jar and was a bit pricey at about $3.79, but it lasts quite some time and its high quality is well worth the price. Also, 32-ounce sizes are available for about $7.00 and searching online may help you find better bargains. Keep in mind this product needs to stay refrigerated, so shipping may not be convenient for all locations.
The serving and nurtitional information on the 16-ounce jar I bought suggests a single serving size of 1 tablespoon (14 grams) and reveals there are usually around 32 servings per container. There are 90 calories per serving. One serving contains 9 grams of total fat, with 1 gram of saturated fat (4% RDI) and no trans fat. There is no cholesterol in this product and low sodium content of only 85 mg (3%).
Even if you are not a vegan, Grapeseed Oil Vegenaise is a great choice for anyone who uses mayonnaise. It’s made using solar energy, so it’s better for the environment than most companies, and it’s much healthier than traditional egg-based mayonnaise (even those that claim they are lower in fat and cholesterol or just made with egg whites). I highly recommend Vegenaise for everyone to try, especially the Grapeseed Oil Vegenaise variety.
Ingredients: grapeseed oil, filtered water, brown rice syrup, apple cider vinegar, soy protein, sea salt, mustard flour, lemon juice concentrate
Sources:
http://followyo.nexcess.net/vegenaise.html
and My Own Experience
