# Prego Sauce, Heart Smart Traditional > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Prego® - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Pasta & Pasta Sauce - **Size:** 23.50 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/prego-prego-sauce-heart-smart-traditional-2350-oz - **Slug:** `prego-prego-sauce-heart-smart-traditional-2350-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 3** - Processed foods The product is primarily made from processed tomato ingredients with added sugar, oil, and preservative (citric acid) and is a shelf-stable, ready-to-use sauce, fitting NOVA group 3 as a processed food rather than minimally processed or a highly industrial formulation. ## Review Prego® Sauce, Heart Smart Traditional (23.5 oz) is the familiar jarred marinara you reach for on busy weeknights. You’ll find it in the pasta sauce aisle on supermarket shelves, alongside other jarred and canned tomato products, pasta, and pizza kits — often shelved with “family meal” staples like spaghetti, canned tomatoes, and ready-made meatballs. It’s positioned as a mainstream, family-oriented Italian-style sauce: a convenience product that leans on nostalgic, homey messaging — vine-ripened tomatoes, balanced herbs — while marketing a health-friendly angle with “Heart Smart,” lower sodium positioning, vegan and gluten-free claims, and “no high fructose corn syrup” and “no artificial colors.” The label suggests naturalness without organic certification. In plain processing terms, this is a shelf-stable, industrially prepared tomato sauce made from tomato puree and diced tomatoes with added sugar, a small amount of canola oil, dried seasonings and citric acid for stability. Sensory notes: a thick, smooth, spoonable red sauce with a bright tomato base, gentle herbal basil and garlic notes, and a slightly sweet finish from added sugar. It comes in a screw-top jar intended to be heated in a pan or microwave and spooned over pasta, used as a dipping sauce for breadsticks, or spread as a quick pizza base — rituals that emphasize speed and family meals. Prego’s brand voice targets busy parents and value-conscious shoppers who want the taste of a homemade tomato sauce with the convenience of a ready-to-use jar. ## Diet flags - Vegan - Vegetarian - Gluten-free - Dairy-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 0.5 cup - **Servings per container:** 5 - **Calories:** 70 - **Total fat:** 1g (1% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 0g (0% DV) - **Sodium:** 350mg (15% DV) - **Total carbs:** 12g (4% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 3g (11% DV) - **Total sugars:** 9g - **Added sugars:** 3g (6% DV) - **Protein:** 2g ## Ingredients INGREDIENTS: TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), DICED TOMATOES IN TOMATO JUICE, SUGAR, CONTAINS LESS THAN 1% OF: SALT, CANOLA OIL, DRIED ONIONS, DRIED GARLIC, SPICES, BASIL, CITRIC ACID, ONION EXTRACT, GARLIC EXTRACT. ## Flagged ingredients - **canola oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **canola oil** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, meal-prep-sunday, weeknight-dinner - **Vibes:** wholesome, convenient, comforting ## FAQ ### Is Prego's Heart Smart Traditional sauce healthy? When we talk about healthiness, it really depends on your dietary needs and what you’re comparing it to. With only 70 calories per half-cup and being low in fat, it can be a decent choice for a quick meal. Just keep in mind it has added sugars, so if you’re watching your sugar intake, you might want to balance it with other ingredients. ### Is Prego's Heart Smart Traditional sauce vegan? Absolutely! This sauce is 100% vegan, so you can feel good about slathering it on your pasta or using it in a veggie-packed dish. No animal products here, just good old tomato goodness. ### Is Prego's Heart Smart Traditional sauce gluten-free? Yes, this sauce is gluten-free, making it a nice option for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. You can enjoy it over your favorite gluten-free pasta without a worry! ### Does Prego's Heart Smart Traditional sauce contain seed oils? Yes, it contains canola oil, which is a type of seed oil. While some folks avoid seed oils due to their omega-6 fatty acid content, canola oil is widely used and generally considered safe in moderation. It helps give the sauce a nice texture and mouthfeel. ### Does Prego's Heart Smart Traditional sauce contain artificial sweeteners? Nope! You won’t find any artificial sweeteners in this sauce. The sweetness comes from a bit of sugar, which is pretty common in tomato sauces to balance acidity. ### Is Prego's Heart Smart Traditional sauce high in sugar? Not really! While it does have 9 grams of total sugars per serving, which includes 3 grams of added sugars, it's not considered high compared to many other sauces. If you’re mindful of sugar, just keep an eye on the serving size. ### What are healthier alternatives to Prego's Heart Smart Traditional sauce? If you're looking for alternatives, you might consider homemade tomato sauces where you can control the sugar and salt levels. Brands like Rao's or other organic options can also be lower in sugars and made with minimal ingredients, but they often come with a higher price tag. ### Can kids eat Prego's Heart Smart Traditional sauce? Definitely! Kids usually love the taste of tomato sauce, and this one is mild and not overly sweet. Just pair it with whole-grain pasta or veggies for a balanced meal that they'll enjoy. ### Is Prego's Heart Smart Traditional sauce good for weight loss? In moderation, it can fit into a weight loss plan, especially if you’re mindful of portion sizes. At 70 calories per serving, it’s relatively low-calorie, but pairing it with nutrient-dense foods is key to staying full and satisfied. ### Is Prego's Heart Smart Traditional sauce ultra-processed? While this sauce is processed, it's not considered ultra-processed like some snacks or ready meals that are loaded with preservatives and additives. It has a simple ingredient list, but it does rely on some processing to achieve that tasty flavor and texture. ## Related products - [Francesco Rinaldi Sauce, Hearty Three Cheese](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/francesco-rinaldi-sauce-hearty-three-cheese-24-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/francesco-rinaldi-sauce-hearty-three-cheese-24-oz - [Rao's Pasta Fettucine](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/raos-raos-pasta-fettucine-16-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/raos-raos-pasta-fettucine-16-oz - [Rao's Specialty Food Homemade Sauce Pizza, Margherite](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/raos-homemade-specialty-food-homemade-sauce-pizza-margherite-1230-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/raos-homemade-specialty-food-homemade-sauce-pizza-margherite-1230-oz - [Yo Mamas Tomato Basil Sauce](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/yo-mamas-yo-mamas-tomato-basil-sauce-25-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/yo-mamas-yo-mamas-tomato-basil-sauce-25-oz - [Barilla Sauce, Traditional](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/barilla-sauce-traditional-24-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/barilla-sauce-traditional-24-oz - [Rummo Pasta Farfalle](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/rummo-pasta-farfalle-16-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/rummo-pasta-farfalle-16-oz - [Classico Sauce, Roasted Garlic Alfredo](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/classico-sauce-roasted-garlic-alfredo-15-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/classico-sauce-roasted-garlic-alfredo-15-oz - [Delallo Sauce Pizza Italian](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/delallo-sauce-pizza-italian-1270-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/delallo-sauce-pizza-italian-1270-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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