Why is Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The granola is made from multiple industrially processed ingredients such as rolled oats, peanut butter, brown‑rice crisps, chocolate chunks and several syrups, and it includes additives like added sugars, soy lecithin, mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E) and natural vanilla flavor, which are typical of NOVA 4 products.

How does the sugar and salt content in this granola affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 16 g of sugars per 100 g, the granola can cause a rapid rise in blood glucose and should be limited by people managing diabetes; its 0.6 g of salt per 100 g is lower than the average cereal but still adds to total sodium intake, so hypertensive individuals should monitor portion size.

Based on the ingredient list, is this granola suitable for vegan, gluten‑free, or keto diets?

The granola is not reliably vegan because the chocolate chunks may contain dairy, it is not certified gluten‑free as oats can be cross‑contaminated, and its high carbohydrate content (43 g per 100 g) makes it unsuitable for a keto diet.

Trader Joe's • 12 oz

Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola is a 12 ounce breakfast cereal marketed as a sweet, nutty granola blend. It belongs to the "Cereals and potatoes" group, is classified as NOVA 4 ultra‑processed, and does not have a Nutri‑Score, while its per‑100‑gram profile shows 16 g of sugars, 11 g of total fat (4.5 g saturated) and 0.6 g of salt, indicating higher sugar and fat than typical breakfast cereals but lower salt. The product contains peanuts and soy, includes added sugars and mixed tocopherols as additives, making it unsuitable for low‑sugar or allergen‑restricted diets.

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal341 kcal

Added Sugars23.1 g

Vitamin C35.3 mg

Vitamin B60 mg

Iron235.3 mg

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average breakfast cereal, this granola provides more sugar (16 g vs 14.1 g), more fat (11 g vs 9 g) and more saturated fat (4.5 g vs 2.5 g), while its salt content (0.6 g) is below the average of 1.8 g.

Ingredients

Rolled oats, cane sugar, peanut butter, brown rice crisp (brown rice flour, brown rice syrup, sea salt), semisweet chocolate chunks (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, natural vanilla flavor), brown rice syrup, coconut oil, peanuts, cocoa powder, natural flavors, sea salt, mixed tocopherols.

84%

35%

Unlock What Your Food Doesn't Tell You

Scan this and millions of other food products to discover hidden positive & negative points, scores percentage, additives, allergens, and deeper product insights with the free NutrScan app.