How Do You Feel About the New Trader Joe's Carrot Cake Spread?
In the eyes of Trader Joe's loyalists, the chain can do no wrong. They're constantly introducing new products that have people running to their closest TJ's to try and get it before it flies off shelves. The latest product to gain cult status? Trader Joe's Carrot Cake Spread.
The new spread looks way more like a jam or marmalade than anything else. On its site, Trader Joe's deems the spread to be like, "a jar of carrot cake, without the flour and eggs. Deep orange in color, with a texture between jam and [fruit] butter, it tastes like sweet carrots, warm spices, soft raisins, and accents of molasses & vanilla." We're definitely enticed and don't know where we'd want the Trader Joe's Carrot Cake Spread most, but we think mixed with Greek yogurt and stuffed inside French toast would definitely be a dreamy place to start.
Before taking a bite though, we're taking a deep dive into its nutrition panel with the help of Amy Shapiro MS, RD, CDN of Real Nutrition NYC. "Looking at the ingredients and the label, it seems like a "healthier" way to enjoy carrot cake. However, I wouldn't consider it a "freebie" or an item you can eat whatever portion you desire," she says. "There are 8 grams of sugar per 1 tbsp. serving, which is equal to 2 tsps. of sugar. Yes, the ingredients are clean and whole, which is ideal, so I would recommend eating this in moderation or using less than recommended in the serving size. A little goes a long way. Some ideas of use would be to mix 1-2 tsps. into Greek yogurt, spread 1 -2 tsps. on whole grain toast, or top a graham cracker with it for a healthy and lower-calorie dessert."
Not every dessert lover likes the taste of carrot cake (we know people love it or hate it—there is no in-between). However, before passing judgment, head to your local Trader Joe's and taste-test it for yourself (just with a smaller serving size in mind).
