Trader Joe's
Is Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread healthy?
Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread
Longevity Score
58/100
Food Integrity Score
88/100
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 unexpected cheddar cheese spread is rated limit when possible overall, with a Longevity Score of 58 out of 100 and a Food Integrity Score of 88 out of 100. Simple dairy-based spread with few ingredients, but cheese and cream bring notable saturated fat and sodium for the serving. Strengths include short, recognizable ingredient list, some protein from cheese and whey, and very low sugar and no fiber-related concerns, while main considerations include saturated fat is high for one serving, sodium is moderate-to-notable, and cream and butter, not a whole-food fat source.
Longevity Score 58/100Food Integrity Score 88/100
What helped the score?
- Short, recognizable ingredient list
- Some protein from cheese and whey
- Very low sugar and no fiber-related concerns
What held the score back?
- Saturated fat is high for one serving
- Sodium is moderate-to-notable
- Contains cream and butter, not a whole-food fat source
Ingredients
Ingredient list
CHEDDAR CHEESE, PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, MICROBL ENZYME, WATER, REDUCED LACTOSE WHEY, BUTTER, CREAM, SEA SALT, LACTIC ACID, GUAR GUM. CONTAINS MILK.
Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.
Key nutrition
Per serving: 128 g (128g)
- Calories905% DV
- Protein4g8% DV
- Total Carbs3g1% DV
- Fiber0g0% DV
- Total Fat7g9% DV
- Saturated Fat4.5g23% DV
Source data, GTIN, and Healthy Food Guide analysis details
Product facts
- Product
- Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread
- Brand
- Trader Joe's
- Category
- Dairy (source: Dairies)
- GTIN / UPC
00000037680244- Serving size
- 128 g (128g)
- 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 (3g)
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 (4.5g)
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 (3g)
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)
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 (3g)
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 (3g)
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 (Cheddar cheese, Pasteurized milk)
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 (Cheddar cheese, Pasteurized milk)
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 (Cheddar cheese, Pasteurized milk)
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.)
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.
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 highly processed?
Food Integrity lists processing level as Lightly 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 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: 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: Short, recognizable ingredient list; Some protein from cheese and whey; Very low sugar and no fiber-related concerns.
What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?
Key concerns noted include: Saturated fat is high for one serving; Sodium is moderate-to-notable; Contains cream and butter, not a whole-food fat source.
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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