Snack Review: Trader Joe’s Reduced Guilt Potato Chips

OK, first off, these get points for the cute name. I have gotten to an age where if I feel bad when I eat junk food; it’s less guilt and more fear of imminent physical decrepitude and oblivion. But I realize that “Reduced Obsession on Mortality” probably wouldn’t have fit on the bag.

These are reminiscent of my favorite brand, Cape Cod. Like most reduced fat chips they are more hard-crunchy than full-fat chips, and feel drier in the mouth. Also, they actually have some potato flavor to them. That may be good or bad depending – if you feel that the potato should just be a vehicle to carry the taste of salt and fat, it might actually be a bit disorienting.

They claim to be “lightly salted” and in my opinion have exactly the right amount of salt. In general, they are not bad. But they’re also not as irresistible as regular potato chips. So one reason for Reduced Bad Feeling is the Reduced Consumption. I can’t eat only one, sure. But I can eat only ten or fifteen. I’m not compelled to keep going after that.

Moving on health claims and literary criticism, the label says that they have 33% less fat and 20% fewer calories than regular potato chips, and says that “slow kettle cooking allows for an excellently crispy, crunchy chip, which is a critical chip attribute.” They are obviously looking to get points for alliteration, but I am afraid that instead they get points off for not extending it to “critical chip condition.” Sorry, Joe.

• Trader Joe’s Website

Snack Review: Trader Joe’s Handmade 100% Dried Fruit Bars

I sometimes feel blessed that my neighborhood seems to have more Trader Joe’s stores than any other. The ever-growing chain is great for unique, yummy and convenient foods at great prices. Typically, I stop by the store for a quick lunch or dinner. However, I often walk away with more than I’d planned – for TJ’s aisles are lined with all manner of tempting, ready-to-eat snacks. Most of Trader Joe’s stock consists of in-chain generic brands. In addition to keeping prices low, this strategy results in many products that can’t be found elsewhere - offering the adventurous snacker nearly endless opportunities to try new things.

Today, I walked away with some Trader Joe’s 100% Dried Fruit Bars. I’d noticed the snacks, seemingly TJ’s answer to a Fruit Rollup, on my last few visits. Though the flavors looked interesting, I’d abstained from purchase. This morning, however, a sign on the fruity snacks’ display rack caught my eye. “We’re sorry,” it explained, “but our warehouse is out of this product.” Out of the product? That sounded serious. I needed to take some home – it could be my last opportunity to taste the delicacies! The fifty-cent fruit bars were available in four flavors – Apricot, Raspberry, Passion Fruit, and Cape Gooseberry. Naturally, I grabbed one of each.

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