Trader Joe's
Is Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Covered Cashews healthy?
Dark Chocolate Covered Cashews
Longevity Score
62/100
Food Integrity Score
68/100
Limit When Possible
Mixed or weaker nutrition and ingredient signals suggest looking for better options when you can.
Quick answer
Limit When Possible
Trader Joe's dark chocolate covered cashews is rated limit when possible overall, with a Longevity Score of 62 out of 100 and a Food Integrity Score of 68 out of 100. Whole-nut base with dark chocolate, but added sugar, dairy solids, and confectionery coating lower its longevity alignment. Strengths include cashews provide whole-food fats, protein, and minerals, some fiber from nuts and cocoa, and moderate portion of 7 pieces, while main considerations include added sugar and caramel components, coated with confectioners shellac and multiple additives, and milk solids and cocoa butter add saturated fat.
Longevity Score 62/100Food Integrity Score 68/100
What helped the score?
- Cashews provide whole-food fats, protein, and minerals
- Contains some fiber from nuts and cocoa
- Moderate portion of 7 pieces
What held the score back?
- Added sugar and caramel components
- Coated with confectioners shellac and multiple additives
- Milk solids and cocoa butter add saturated fat
Ingredients
Ingredient list
Cashews, sugar, unsweetened chocolate processed with alkali, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, caramel powder (skim milk powder, whey powder, sugar, milkfat, natural vanilla flavor), skim milk powder, milkfat, sea salt, caramelized sugar, tapioca dextrin, confectioners shellac, soy lecithin, natural vanilla flavor, sunflower lecithin, unsweetened chocolate, salt.
Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.
Key nutrition
Per serving: 30 g (7 pieces (30 g))
- Calories1709% DV
- Protein3g6% DV
- Total Carbs15g5% DV
- Fiber1g4% DV
- Total Fat11g14% DV
- Saturated Fat5g25% DV
Source data, GTIN, and Healthy Food Guide analysis details
Product facts
- Product
- Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Covered Cashews
- Brand
- Trader Joe's
- Category
- Snacks
- GTIN / UPC
00000000775120- Serving size
- 30 g (7 pieces (30 g))
- Source data — ingredients
- Ingredient list from product label data (see Sources)
- Healthy Food Guide analysis
- Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards. See methodology under Sources.
- Data last verified
How this product may fit different goals
The same food can look different depending on what matters most to you. Here is a general preview of how this product may align with several common goals.
Low-Spike Stability
MixedMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low-Spike Stability, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A tradeoff: Higher sugar (10g)
This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.
Heart-Healthy Eating
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Heart-Healthy Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher saturated fat (5g)
GLP-1 Eating Support
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing GLP-1 Eating Support, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Lower protein (3g)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Low Sugar Lifestyle
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low Sugar Lifestyle, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher sugar (10g)
This product has 2 additional signals for this goal.
Appetite & Portion Awareness
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Appetite & Portion Awareness, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher sugar (10g)
Athletic Fueling
Watch-outsAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Athletic Fueling, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Carbohydrate is almost entirely sugar (10g of 15g carbs)
Workout Recovery
Watch-outsAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Workout Recovery, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Lower protein (3g)
Strength & Protein Focus
Watch-outsAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Strength & Protein Focus, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Lower protein (3g)
Vegan
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegan, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Animal-derived ingredients (Mentions "milk", "whey", "shellac". See ingredients for details.)
Plant-Based
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Plant-Based, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Animal-derived ingredients (Mentions "milk", "whey", "shellac". See ingredients for details.)
Low-Carb Lifestyle
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low-Carb Lifestyle, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Carb-dense ingredients (Mentions "sugar". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Keto-Style Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Keto-Style Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Net carbs above typical keto snack range (14g)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Minimally Processed Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Minimally Processed Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener signals (sugar, caramelized sugar)
Whole-Food Focused Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Whole-Food Focused Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener signals (sugar, caramelized sugar)
Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener signals (sugar, caramelized sugar)
Mediterranean-Style Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Mediterranean-Style Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher saturated fat (5g)
Paleo-Style Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Paleo-Style Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Grain/legume ingredients (Mentions "soy". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 2 additional signals for this goal.
Healthy Fat Focus
MixedDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Healthy Fat Focus, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A tradeoff: Higher saturated fat (5g)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Vegetarian
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegetarian, the available Longevity and Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Pescatarian
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Pescatarian, the available Longevity and Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Low Gluten Eating
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low Gluten Eating, the available Longevity and Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
See how this product fits your goals
Choose what matters most to you and explore a more detailed interpretation of this product's nutrition, ingredients, and tradeoffs.
Common questions about this product
Is Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Covered Cashews highly processed?
Food Integrity lists processing level as Moderately processed. That reflects formulation and processing signals from the ingredient analysis — not a medical or regulatory classification.
Why are the Longevity and Food Integrity scores different?
Longevity emphasizes nutrition per serving and longer-term dietary alignment. Food Integrity emphasizes ingredients, additives, processing, and label transparency. The same product can score differently on those lenses.
How much fiber is in one serving?
Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Covered Cashews shows about 1g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.
Does it contain added sugar?
Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Covered Cashews: 10g added sugar per serving; sweetener signals include sugar, caramelized sugar. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.
What helped the Longevity Score?
Key positives called out in the analysis include: Cashews provide whole-food fats, protein, and minerals; Contains some fiber from nuts and cocoa; Moderate portion of 7 pieces.
What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?
Key concerns noted include: Added sugar and caramel components; Coated with confectioners shellac and multiple additives; Milk solids and cocoa butter add saturated fat.
Who might evaluate this product differently?
People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same snacks differently. Use the goal preview on this page, then personalize in KarbCoach for your priorities.
Source data and Healthy Food Guide analysis
- Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
- Healthy Food Guide analysis (Longevity and Food Integrity) — Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards.
- How the Longevity Score is calculated
- How the Food Integrity Score is calculated
- Scoring models: KarbCoach Longevity and Food Integrity.
- Independent analysis. No manufacturer affiliation.
- Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions. Full sources and safety details.
Label accuracy and safety information
Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.
See how this item lines up with your goals
Healthy Food Guide covers this product in detail. In KarbCoach, your goals shape what matters most for your meals.
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