Appetizers
Trader Joe's Veggie Sticks Puffed Potato Snacks Flavored with Spinach & Tomato
6 oz (170 g)
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains seed oils
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 62
Trader Joe's Veggie Sticks Puffed Potato Snacks Flavored with Spinach & Tomato scores 62 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 9 points Salt 2.6 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- minus 3 points Energy 500 kcal / 100 g: Energy-dense for its weight. Info
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better vegetable chips and straws
-
Rice, Peas, Black Beans Veggie Crisps Off the Eaten Path Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 98 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
Pea Crisps 365 Whole Foods Market · 94 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 94 out of 100 , 32 points higher -
Veggie Chips Lilly's Family Foods · 4 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 93 out of 100 , 31 points higher -
Beet Chips Naked Rhythm Superfoods · 40 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Harvest Snaps Lightly Salted Crispy Baked Veggie Snacks Calbee · 20.0 oz (1.25 lb) 567 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 83 out of 100 , 21 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Veggie Sticks Puffed Potato Snacks Flavored with Spinach & Tomato
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil (unspecified) minus 2.5 points
- Sunflower oil minus 2.5 points
- Safflower oil minus 2.5 points
- Canola oil minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 1.8 g / 100 g minus 1 points
- Salt 2.6 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 500 kcal / 100 g minus 3 points
- Fiber 3.6 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 38 = 62
Can’t score above 79. High in fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [9]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 500 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 25 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.8 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 67.9 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 3.6 g |
| Protein | 3.6 g |
| Salt | 2.6 g |
Serving: 50 sticks (28 g)
Ingredients
- POTATO FLOUR
- VEGETABLE OIL (SUNFLOWER OIL, SAFFLOWER OIL, CANOLA OIL)
- POTATO STARCH
- CORNSTARCH
- RICE FLOUR
- SALT
- TOMATO POWDER
- SPINACH POWDER
- POTASSIUM CHLORIDE
- TURMERIC [FOR COLOR]
Label text, as published
POTATO FLOUR, VEGETABLE OIL (SUNFLOWER OIL AND/OR SAFFLOWER OIL AND/OR CANOLA OIL), POTATO STARCH, CORNSTARCH, RICE FLOUR, SALT, TOMATO POWDER, SPINACH POWDER, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, TURMERIC [FOR COLOR].
Allergens and diets
Contains: Gluten
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More appetizers on GoodSwap
-
Goldfish Baked Snack Crackers Cheddar Pepperidge Farm · 1 oz (28 g) Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 43 out of 100 Okay -
Almond Flour Crackers Rosemary & Sea Salt Simple Mills · 4.25 oz High in saltContains seed oilsNo additives Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Sticks Pretzels Snyder's Of Hanover · 1 Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 30 out of 100 Poor -
Original Savory Thin Mini Crackers Trader Joe's · 30 g No additives Score 99 out of 100 Excellent -
Turtles Baked Cheddar Snack Crackers Savoritz · 19 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 38 out of 100 Poor -
Traditional Chex Mix Snack Mix Chex · 1 serving Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 13 out of 100 Bad
More from Trader Joe's
-
Cracked Wheat Sourdough Bread Trader Joe's · 24 oz Score 86 out of 100 Excellent -
Vanilla Almond Granola Trader Joe's · 16 oz Score 22 out of 100 Poor -
Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup Trader Joe's · 32 fl oz Score 91 out of 100 Excellent -
Lentil Soup with Ancient Grains Trader Joe's · 20 oz Score 73 out of 100 Good
Sources
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“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
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“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
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Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
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“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
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Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
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“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
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“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org