Trader Joe's
Is Trader Joe's Cheery Lemon Animal Crackers healthy?
Cheery Lemon Animal Crackers
Longevity Score
38/100
Food Integrity Score
42/100
Consider Avoiding
At least one major score is weak enough that many people will want a clearer alternative for regular use.
Quick answer
Consider Avoiding
Trader Joe's cheery lemon animal crackers is rated consider avoiding overall, with a Longevity Score of 38 out of 100 and a Food Integrity Score of 42 out of 100. Refined, sugar-forward cookie with palm kernel oil and dairy powders; low fiber and little whole-food content. Strengths include low protein but modest portion size and some natural color sources (spirulina, vegetable juice), while main considerations include high added sugar (about 19g per serving), palm kernel oil and high saturated fat, and refined wheat flour with very low fiber.
Longevity Score 38/100Food Integrity Score 42/100
What helped the score?
- Low protein but modest portion size
- Some natural color sources (spirulina, vegetable juice)
What held the score back?
- High added sugar (about 19g per serving)
- Palm kernel oil and high saturated fat
- Refined wheat flour with very low fiber
Ingredients
Ingredient list
sugar, palm kernel oil, whey powder, skim milk powder, yogurt powder (nonfat milk, lactic acid), soy lecithin (emulsifier), natural flavor, animal crackers (wheat flour, cane sugar, soybean oil, brown rice syrup, salt, natural flavor, leavening [baking soda, ammonium bicarbonate]), rainbow nonpareils (sugar, cornstarch, wax, confectioner's glaze, vegetable juice, spirulina extract, beta-carotene, paprika [annatto, carnauba wax], lemon juice powder [lemon juice, maltodextrin, turmeric oleoresin])
Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.
Key nutrition
Per serving: 47 g (47.0g)
- Calories22011% DV
- Protein2g4% DV
- Total Carbs34g12% DV
- Total Fat9g12% DV
- Saturated Fat7g35% DV
- Net Carbs34g12% DV
Source data, GTIN, and Healthy Food Guide analysis details
Product facts
- Product
- Trader Joe's Cheery Lemon Animal Crackers
- Brand
- Trader Joe's
- Category
- Snacks
- GTIN / UPC
00000000778282- Serving size
- 47 g (47.0g)
- 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 net carbs (34g)
This product has 2 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 (7g)
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 (2g)
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 (19g)
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 (19g)
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 (19g of 34g 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 (2g)
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 (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", "whey", "yogurt". 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", "yogurt". 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 (34g)
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 (34g)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Low Gluten Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low Gluten Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Gluten-related ingredients (Mentions "wheat". See ingredients for details.)
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 (Cane sugar, Sugar)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
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 (Cane sugar, Sugar)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
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 (Cane sugar, Sugar)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
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 (7g)
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 "wheat", "flour", "rice". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 2 additional signals for this goal.
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: Higher saturated fat (7g)
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.
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 Cheery Lemon Animal Crackers highly processed?
Food Integrity lists processing level as Ultra-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 Cheery Lemon Animal Crackers: 19g added sugar per serving; sweetener signals include Cane sugar, Sugar. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.
What helped the Longevity Score?
Key positives called out in the analysis include: Low protein but modest portion size; Some natural color sources (spirulina, vegetable juice).
What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?
Key concerns noted include: High added sugar (about 19g per serving); Palm kernel oil and high saturated fat; Refined wheat flour with very low fiber.
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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