Trader Joe's
Is Trader Joe's Hoisin Sauce healthy?
Hoisin Sauce
Longevity Score
52/100
Food Integrity Score
65/100
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 hoisin sauce is rated limit when possible overall, with a Longevity Score of 52 out of 100 and a Food Integrity Score of 65 out of 100. Flavorful condiment with real soy and sesame, but high in added sugar and sodium for a single serving. Strengths include fermented soybean paste adds whole-food base, black sesame paste provides some seed-based content, and short, recognizable ingredient list overall, while main considerations include added sugar is high at 17g per serving, sodium is high at 860mg per serving, and modified tapioca starch and xanthan gum.
Longevity Score 52/100Food Integrity Score 65/100
What helped the score?
- Fermented soybean paste adds whole-food base
- Black sesame paste provides some seed-based content
- Short, recognizable ingredient list overall
What held the score back?
- Added sugar is high at 17g per serving
- Sodium is high at 860mg per serving
- Contains modified tapioca starch and xanthan gum
Ingredients
Ingredient list
BROWN SUGAR, WATER, FERMENTED SOYBEAN PASTE (SOYBEAN, RICE, SALT), SALT, BLACK SESAME PASTE (BLACK SESAME SEEDS), DISTILLED VINEGAR, MODIFIED TAPIOCA STARCH, MOLASSES, GARLIC, CITRIC ACID (ACIDIFIER), SEASONING BLEND (BLACK PEPPER, CINNAMON, STAR ANISE, CUMIN, CORIANDER SEED, SZECHUAN PEPPER, CARDAMOM), GARLIC POWDER, CHILI POWDER, XANTHAN GUM
Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.
Key nutrition
Per serving: 36 g (36 g)
- Calories905% DV
- Protein0.5g1% DV
- Total Carbs19g7% DV
- Total Fat1g1% DV
- Sodium860mg37% DV
- Net Carbs19g7% DV
Source data, GTIN, and Healthy Food Guide analysis details
Product facts
- Product
- Trader Joe's Hoisin Sauce
- Brand
- Trader Joe's
- Category
- Condiments & Sauces (source: Condiments)
- GTIN / UPC
00000000782975- Serving size
- 36 g (36 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
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low-Spike Stability, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher sugar (17g)
This product has 1 additional signal 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 sodium (860mg)
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 (0.5g)
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 (17g)
This product has 2 additional signals for this goal.
Appetite & Portion Awareness
MixedMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Appetite & Portion Awareness, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A tradeoff: Higher sugar (17g)
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: Carbohydrate is almost entirely sugar (17g of 19g 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 (0.5g)
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 (0.5g)
Vegetarian
SupportiveDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegetarian, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Plant-food ingredients (Mentions "pepper". See ingredients for details.)
Vegan
SupportiveDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegan, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Plant-food ingredients (Mentions "pepper". See ingredients for details.)
Plant-Based
SupportiveDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Plant-Based, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Plant-food ingredients (Mentions "pepper". 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: Higher net carbs (19g)
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 (19g)
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 (Brown sugar, Molasses)
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 (Brown sugar, Molasses)
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 (Brown sugar, Molasses)
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 sodium (860mg)
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 "rice". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
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.
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 Hoisin Sauce 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.
Does it contain added sugar?
Trader Joe's Hoisin Sauce: 17g added sugar per serving; sweetener signals include Brown sugar, Molasses. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.
What helped the Longevity Score?
Key positives called out in the analysis include: Fermented soybean paste adds whole-food base; Black sesame paste provides some seed-based content; Short, recognizable ingredient list overall.
What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?
Key concerns noted include: Added sugar is high at 17g per serving; Sodium is high at 860mg per serving; Contains modified tapioca starch and xanthan gum.
Who might evaluate this product differently?
People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same condiments & sauces 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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