Trader Joe's
Is Trader Joe's Finely Shredded Lite Mexican Style Cheese Blend healthy?
Finely Shredded Lite Mexican Style Cheese Blend
Longevity Score
82/100
Food Integrity Score
90/100
Solid Choice
One score is excellent and the other is still solid, so this can fit well with a few tradeoffs to keep in mind.
Quick answer
Solid Choice
Trader Joe's finely shredded lite mexican style cheese blend is rated solid choice overall, with a Longevity Score of 82 out of 100 and a Food Integrity Score of 90 out of 100. Reduced fat cheese with moderate sodium and minimal additives. Strengths include reduced fat content, good protein source, and minimal additives, while main considerations include moderate sodium and processed cheese.
Longevity Score 82/100Food Integrity Score 90/100
What helped the score?
- Reduced fat content
- Good protein source
- Minimal additives
What held the score back?
- Moderate sodium
- Processed cheese
Ingredients
Ingredient list
REDUCED FAT CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED PART-SKIM MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, MICROBIAL ENZYME, ANNATTO EXTRACT [COLOR], VITAMIN A PALMITATE), REDUCED FAT MONTEREY JACK CHEESE (PASTEURIZED PART-SKIM MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, MICROBIAL ENZYME, VITAMIN A PALMITATE), REDUCED FAT ASADERO CHEESE (PASTEURIZED PART-SKIM MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, MICROBIAL ENZYME, VITAMIN A PALMITATE), REDUCED FAT QUESO QUESADILLA CHEESE (PASTEURIZED PART-SKIM MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, MICROBIAL ENZYME, VITAMIN A PALMITATE), ANTI-CAKING AGENT (POTATO STARCH, TAPIOCA STARCH, NATAMYCIN [MOLD INHIBITOR])
Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.
Key nutrition
Per serving: 28 g (28g)
- Calories804% DV
- Protein8g16% DV
- Total Carbs2g1% DV
- Fiber0g0% DV
- Total Fat4g5% DV
- Saturated Fat2.5g13% DV
Source data, GTIN, and Healthy Food Guide analysis details
Product facts
- Product
- Trader Joe's Finely Shredded Lite Mexican Style Cheese Blend
- Brand
- Trader Joe's
- Category
- Dairy (source: Dairies)
- GTIN / UPC
00000000907484- Serving size
- 28 g (28g)
- 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
SupportiveMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low-Spike Stability, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Lower net carbs (2g)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Heart-Healthy Eating
SupportiveMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Heart-Healthy Eating, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Moderate-low sodium (170mg)
GLP-1 Eating Support
SupportiveMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing GLP-1 Eating Support, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Moderate calories (80 kcal)
Low Sugar Lifestyle
SupportiveMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low Sugar Lifestyle, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Low sugar (0g)
Appetite & Portion Awareness
SupportiveMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Appetite & Portion Awareness, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Modest calories per serving (80 kcal)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
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: Lower carbs for fueling (2g)
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", "cheese". 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", "cheese". See ingredients for details.)
Low-Carb Lifestyle
SupportiveDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low-Carb Lifestyle, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Lower net carbs (2g)
Keto-Style Eating
SupportiveDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Keto-Style Eating, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Very low net carbs (2g)
Minimally Processed Eating
MixedDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Minimally Processed Eating, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A tradeoff: Family watchlist items (ANTI-CAKING AGENT (POTATO STARCH, TAPIOCA STARCH, NATAMYCIN [MOLD INHIBITOR]))
This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.
Whole-Food Focused Eating
MixedDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Whole-Food Focused Eating, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A tradeoff: Family watchlist items (ANTI-CAKING AGENT (POTATO STARCH, TAPIOCA STARCH, NATAMYCIN [MOLD INHIBITOR]))
This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.
Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods
MixedDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A tradeoff: Family watchlist items (ANTI-CAKING AGENT (POTATO STARCH, TAPIOCA STARCH, NATAMYCIN [MOLD INHIBITOR]))
This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.
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: Dairy ingredients (Mentions "milk", "cheese". See ingredients for details.)
Workout Recovery
NeutralAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Workout Recovery, the available Longevity and Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Strength & Protein Focus
NeutralAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Strength & Protein Focus, the available Longevity and Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
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.
Mediterranean-Style Eating
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Mediterranean-Style Eating, the available Longevity and Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Healthy Fat Focus
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Healthy Fat Focus, 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 Finely Shredded Lite Mexican Style Cheese Blend highly processed?
Food Integrity lists processing level as Minimal processing. 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 Finely Shredded Lite Mexican Style Cheese Blend shows about 0g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.
Does it contain added sugar?
Trader Joe's Finely Shredded Lite Mexican Style Cheese Blend: 0g added sugar per serving. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.
What helped the Longevity Score?
Key positives called out in the analysis include: Reduced fat content; Good protein source; Minimal additives.
What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?
Key concerns noted include: Moderate sodium; Processed cheese.
Who might evaluate this product differently?
People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same dairy 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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