Trader Joe's
Is Trader Joe's Southwestern Chopped Salad healthy?
Southwestern Chopped Salad
Longevity Score
83/100
Food Integrity Score
82/100
Enjoy in ModerationNutrition and ingredient quality are both respectable, but this is better as a balanced choice than an everyday default.
Quick answer
Enjoy in Moderation
Trader Joe's southwestern chopped salad is rated enjoy in moderation overall, with a Longevity Score of 83 out of 100 and a Food Integrity Score of 82 out of 100. Whole-food base with a few processed elements. Strengths include rich in whole vegetables, pumpkin seeds, and uses avocado in dressing, while main considerations include cheese and tortilla strips and processed dressing ingredients.
Longevity Score 83/100Food Integrity Score 82/100
What helped the score?
- Rich in whole vegetables
- Contains pumpkin seeds
- Uses avocado in dressing
What held the score back?
- Includes cheese and tortilla strips
- Processed dressing ingredients
Ingredients
Ingredient list
SALAD (GREEN CABBAGE, ROMAINE LETTUCE, CARROTS, COTIJA CHEESE [COTIJA CHEESE {PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, MICROBIAL ENZYME}, POTATO STARCH {ANTI-CAKING AGENT}], RADISH, DRY ROASTED PEPITAS [PUMPKIN SEEDS], GREEN ONION, TORTILLA STRIPS [STONE GROUND YELLOW CORN, STONE GROUND BLUE CORN, SUNFLOWER OIL, SEA SALT, TRACE OF LIME], CILANTRO), SOUTHWEST AVOCADO DRESSING (SOYBEAN OIL, WATER, AVOCADO, WHITE WINE VINEGAR, VINEGAR, SALT, CILANTRO, CORNSTARCH, POBLANO CHILES, CANE SUGAR, DISTILLED CUMIN, DRIED ONION, XANTHAN GUM, DRIED GARLIC, ACACIA GUM, DRIED CHIPOTLE PEPPERS, RED PEPPER). CONTAINS MILK.
Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.
Key nutrition
Per serving: 100 g (100 g)
- Calories1508% DV
- Protein4g8% DV
- Fiber2g7% DV
- Total Fat12g15% DV
- Saturated Fat3g15% DV
- Sodium270mg12% DV
Source data, GTIN, and Food Quality Guide analysis details
Product facts
- Product
- Trader Joe's Southwestern Chopped Salad
- Brand
- Trader Joe's
- Category
- Prepared Meals (source: Plant Based Foods And Beverages)
- GTIN / UPC
00000000584630- Serving size
- 100 g (100 g)
- Source data — ingredients
- Ingredient list from product label data (see Sources)
- Food Quality 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 supportive signal: Low sugar (3g)
Heart-Healthy Eating
MixedMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Heart-Healthy Eating, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A tradeoff: Ingredients often higher in saturated fat (Mentions "cheese". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
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 (4g)
Low Sugar Lifestyle
MixedMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low Sugar Lifestyle, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A tradeoff: Sweetener signals (Cane sugar)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
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 (150 kcal)
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 (4g)
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 (4g)
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 "cabbage", "carrot", "onion". See ingredients for details.)
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
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 "potato starch", "sugar", "tortilla". See ingredients for details.)
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: Carb-dense ingredients (Mentions "potato starch", "sugar", "tortilla". See ingredients for details.)
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: Sweetener signals (Cane sugar)
This product has 1 additional signal 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: Sweetener signals (Cane sugar)
This product has 1 additional signal 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: Sweetener signals (Cane sugar)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Mediterranean-Style Eating
MixedDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Mediterranean-Style Eating, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A tradeoff: Ingredients often higher in saturated fat (Mentions "cheese". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal 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: Grain/legume ingredients (Mentions "corn". 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: Ingredients often higher in saturated fat (Mentions "cheese". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Athletic Fueling
NeutralAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Athletic Fueling, 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 Southwestern Chopped Salad 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 Southwestern Chopped Salad shows about 2g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.
Does it contain added sugar?
Trader Joe's Southwestern Chopped Salad: 3g total sugar per serving; sweetener signals include Cane sugar. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.
What helped the Longevity Score?
Key positives called out in the analysis include: Rich in whole vegetables; Contains pumpkin seeds; Uses avocado in dressing.
What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?
Key concerns noted include: Includes cheese and tortilla strips; Processed dressing ingredients.
Who might evaluate this product differently?
People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same prepared meals differently. Use the goal preview on this page, then personalize in KarbCoach for your priorities.
Source data and Food Quality Guide analysis
- Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
- Food Quality 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
Food Quality Guide covers this product in detail. In KarbCoach, your goals shape what matters most for your meals.
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