The makers of French’s mustard are sponsoring a contest, Do You Have the Skinny on Mustard?” And, what they want to know is how you use mustard to reduce your caloric intake. For instance, do you use mustard in dip instead of sour cream?

Here’s an interesting bit of information from French’s: Just by replacing mayonnaise with mustard on all your sandwiches over a 12-week period, you could save the equivalent of 8,640 calories — that’s almost 2 1/2 pounds. This is based on four sandwiches per week, using mustard to replace 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise on each over a 12-week period.

In addition to adding flavor without the fat, mustard also has several other nutritional benefits like naturally occurring omega 3’s and selenium, a healthful element which may protect the body from cancer, according to French’s. Mustard also contains several antioxidants such as circumin.

If you want to enter the contest and win a day at the spa valued at $1,500 or become one of 10 finalists to receive $100 each, send your favorite healthful recipe using mustard to French’s, c/o BHGPR, 546 Valley Road, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043, or, log on to www.frenchfoods.com to enter. The deadline is Dec.r 31.

Or, if you’d just like to have your name mentioned in my column — whoopee! — I’d like to know how you use mustard and I’ll pass your advice on to readers. One of my quick ways to dress up a plate of mixed veggies is to combine a little low-fat or fat-free mayonnaise with some mustard, to taste, and curry powder, to taste. It’s excellent, and the curry powder adds a shot of nutrition, as well. Have you heard that it’s a good spice that may help to prevent certain dementias, including Alzheimer’s?