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Trader Joe’s is known as a health-conscious grocery chain that offers plenty of natural and organic products for the inner yogi in all of us. But that’s not to say the store carries only healthy items!
According to Lisa Richards, nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet, “Trader Joe’s offers a wide selection of baked goods, snacks and frozen dessert items that are equally as unhealthy as those found at any other grocery store. It is a common misconception that foods offered at more health-conscious chains are all perfectly acceptable to a healthy diet.”
Packed with sugar, and dangerous for your waistline, there are plenty of treats masquerading as “healthy” desserts that you should skip. But what’s the worst dessert?
With summer in full swing, dining al fresco is about to become part of our routine, and Trader Joe's is all about that outdoor eating lifestyle. The grocery chain's website lets us know that they've got "seasonal sauces, thirst-quenching coolers, and delectable desserts on offer that are ideal for outdoor indulgence."
Turns out, one of those delectable desserts isn't doing your bikini body any favors. That would be the supermarket's Citrus Mousse Cakes, which "feature a thick layer of moist vanilla cake, an even thicker layer of luscious, orange-or-lemon-flavored mousse, and sweet, orange or yellow confectionary coating."
Each mousse cake is decorated to look like a lemon or orange. Cute, right? But not so good for you!
"Processed desserts like Trader Joe's Citrus Mousse Cakes are high in sodium and often fat, in an attempt to improve stability, taste and texture," says Lisa Richards.
"A serving of these cakes, 3 individual cakes, is 330 calories, 16 grams of fat, 44 grams of carbohydrates and 31 grams of added sugar. The added sugar is a main concern for these healthy cakes," adds Lisa. Yikes!
OK, but is a little bit of added sugar really such a bad thing?
"Added sugars are just that, sugar that is added during the processing of foods. This sugar is not naturally occuring in the food product and can lead to overeating, weight gain, poor gut health, inflammation, and a spike in blood sugar," explains Lisa.
Next time, resist the urge to stock up on Citrus Mousse cakes and try something a little more waistline-friendly, like Trader Joe's chocolate-covered almonds. With a balance of dark chocolate and healthy fats from almonds, these might be our new favorite summer treat!
