Trader Joe's
Is Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread With Hatch Chile healthy?
Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread With Hatch Chile
Longevity Score
72/100
Food Integrity Score
70/100
Enjoy in Moderation
Nutrition 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 unexpected cheddar cheese spread with hatch chile is rated enjoy in moderation overall, with a Longevity Score of 72 out of 100 and a Food Integrity Score of 70 out of 100. Cheese-based spread with real chile flavor, but dairy-forward with moderate sodium and saturated fat; best as a small occasional addition. Strengths include real hatch chile and pepper ingredients, modest sugar and no artificial sweeteners, and some protein from cheese, while main considerations include cheese-based with notable saturated fat, sodium around 200 mg per serving from salt and cheese, and processed additives like guar gum and citric acid.
Longevity Score 72/100Food Integrity Score 70/100
What helped the score?
- Real Hatch chile and pepper ingredients
- Modest sugar and no artificial sweeteners
- Some protein from cheese
What held the score back?
- Cheese-based with notable saturated fat
- Sodium around 200 mg per serving from salt and cheese
- Contains processed additives like guar gum and citric acid
Ingredients
Ingredient list
CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, MICROBIAL ENZYME), WATER, REDUCED LACTOSE WHEY, HATCH CHILE (HATCH CHILE PEPPERS, CITRIC ACID (ACIDIFIERI), BUTTER (CREAM,, SULT, MEL, BEL PEPPERS, SEA SALT, LACTIC ACID, GUAR GUM, CAYENNE PEPPER
Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.
Key nutrition
Per serving: 28 g (2 tbsp)
- Calories905% DV
- Protein4g8% DV
- Total Carbs1g0% DV
- Fiber0g0% DV
- Total Fat6g8% DV
- Saturated Fat4g20% DV
Source data, GTIN, and Healthy Food Guide analysis details
Product facts
- Product
- Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread With Hatch Chile
- Brand
- Trader Joe's
- Category
- Dairy (source: Dairies)
- GTIN / UPC
00000000768399- Serving size
- 28 g (2 tbsp)
- 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 (1g)
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 saturated fat (4g)
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
SupportiveMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low Sugar Lifestyle, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Low sugar (1g)
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 (90 kcal)
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 (1g)
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 "pepper", "peppers". 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", "butter", "cream". 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", "butter", "cream". 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 (1g)
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 (1g)
Minimally Processed Eating
MixedDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Minimally Processed Eating, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A supportive signal: Whole-food signals (Hatch chile peppers, Cayenne pepper)
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 supportive signal: Whole-food signals (Hatch chile peppers, Cayenne pepper)
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 supportive signal: Whole-food signals (Hatch chile peppers, Cayenne pepper)
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: Ingredients often higher in saturated fat (Mentions "butter", "cheese". See ingredients for details.)
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", "butter", "cream". See ingredients for details.)
Healthy Fat Focus
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Healthy Fat Focus, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Ingredients often higher in saturated fat (Mentions "butter", "cheese". See ingredients for details.)
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 Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread With Hatch Chile 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 Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread With Hatch Chile shows about 0g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.
Does it contain added sugar?
Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread With Hatch Chile: 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: Real Hatch chile and pepper ingredients; Modest sugar and no artificial sweeteners; Some protein from cheese.
What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?
Key concerns noted include: Cheese-based with notable saturated fat; Sodium around 200 mg per serving from salt and cheese; Contains processed additives like guar gum and citric acid.
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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