Nuovo Pasta Organic Ravioli, Butternut Squash — OKAY

Munch or Dump rates Nuovo Pasta Organic Ravioli, Butternut Squash by Nuovo Pasta Productions Ltd OKAY — score 60/90.

Mostly real-food filled pasta with no artificial additives, but refined durum flour, added sugar and canola oil keep it from clean.

Why this verdict

• Real whole-food filling: roasted butternut squash, ricotta, parmesan, eggs
• No artificial colors, flavors or flavor enhancers; colors are natural annatto and turmeric
• But refined durum flour and breadcrumbs are the carb base
• Added sugar from evaporated cane syrup plus honey
• Three cheeses push saturated fat up

Ingredients (13)

• Organic butternut squash (safe) — Real roasted vegetable, fiber and vitamin A. The best thing in here.
• Organic ricotta cheese (safe) — Real dairy, protein and calcium, but adds saturated fat.
• Organic Cheddar Cheese (moderate) — Real cheese flavor and protein, but salt and saturated fat add up.
• Organic parmesan cheese (moderate) — Aged cheese, salty and high in saturated fat; the cellulose is just anti-caking.
• Organic breadcrumbs (wheat flour, evaporated cane syrup) (moderate) — Refined flour filler carrying a little added sugar.
• ORGANIC HONEY (moderate) — Added sugar by another name; spikes blood sugar same as table sugar.
• Organic eggs (safe) — Whole-food protein and binder.
• ORGANIC CANOLA OIL (moderate) — Refined seed oil; fine in small amounts but a processed fat.
• Sea Salt (moderate) — Adds sodium for flavor. Fine in moderation, but worth watching if you're salt-sensitive.
• Organic spices (black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon) (safe) — Real seasoning, no concern.
• Organic annatto oil (safe) — Natural seed-based color, not an artificial dye.
• Organic durum flour (moderate) — Refined wheat flour pasta base; carb-dense, low fiber.
• Organic turmeric oil (safe) — Natural color for the pasta, harmless.