Some of the best deals you can find at Trader Joe’s come in a jar or can, and their specialty sauces are known for being unique and delicious, too. But if you’ve been stocking up on salad and food dressings at the California-based grocery chain and are now watching your waistline, then you might want to think again.
Experts warn that some of their sauces and dressings can pack a punch–and not in a good way. High sodium content and artificial sweetener for flavoring are just two reasons why you should avoid the chain’s Thai Style Green Chili Sauce that just launched in March 2021. I know we all get excited about a new Trader Joe’s launch, but here’s why health experts say it should never be in your cart:
Thai Style Green Chili Sauce
Certified nutritionist Opwyn Dalton of Fitness Unicorn tells us that the single serving of two tablespoons of this sauce contain an inordinate amount of sodium, even when compared to other tasty dressings from the food store.
“A single serving of this dressing contains 9g of fats and a whopping 250g of sodium, both of which fall on the upper end of the spectrum. Compare it with their Chile Lime Mayonnaise, which has just 10mg of sodium,” he explains. Yikes!
Why is this a problem? “High sodium is a leading factor in modern-day problems like blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease,” he warns.
But that’s not all (unfortunately). It also contains the artificial sweetener maltodextrin, “which is a highly processed food additive that has a very high G.I. equivalent to sugar,” Dalton explains.
“Manufacturers often use it to enhance the taste and texture of the dressings. However, excessive consumption of maltodextrin can also cause gastrointestinal issues like gas and diarrhea.” Say it ain’t so!
