Del Monte Fruit Cocktail in Extra Light Syrup, Lite: Labelgrade B- (71/100)
B- 71 / 100 — Very low saturated fat, notable sugar load, and very low sodium.
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Del Monte Fruit Cocktail In Extra Light Syrup, Lite delivers 0g of protein and 59.5 calories per 0.5 cup (USDA FDC 2024245). Per 100g that’s 0g of protein; per oz, 0g. The Labelgrade is B- (71 / 100): Very low saturated fat, notable sugar load, and very low sodium.
Why this Labelgrade
| Dimension | Grade | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein density | D | 50 / 100 | 0g per 100g — below the high-protein bar; not the right product for protein hunting |
| Ingredient quality | B | 75 / 100 | 8 ingredients, recognizable, no significant additive flags |
| Saturated fat load | A+ | 100 / 100 | 0g saturated fat — perfect |
| Sodium load | A+ | 100 / 100 | 4.96mg per serving (1mg per oz) — low |
| Sugar load | D | 48 / 100 | 13g sugar; USDA omits the added-sugar line, but the ingredients list a sweetener — scored as added, not naturally-occurring |
| Fiber | F | 36 / 100 | 0.992g per serving — modest fiber contribution |
| Overall | B- | 71 / 100 | Weighted blend: protein 25% · ingredients 22% · saturated fat 18% · sodium 15% · sugar 12% · fiber 8% |
How it compares
| Product | Protein per serving | Per 100 g | Per oz | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Del Monte Fruit Cocktail In Extra Light Syrup, Lite (this product) | 0g | 0g | 0g | 59.5 |
| Del Monte Foods Inc. Del Monte, Sliced Peaches In Heavy Syrup | 0g | 0g | 0g | 99.8 |
| Del Monte Sliced Pears, Lite, Lite | 0g | 0g | 0g | 59.5 |
| Dole Mandarin Oranges In 100% Fruit Juice | 1g | 0.8g | 0.2g | 90.3 |
| Plain cooked chicken breast (benchmark) | — | 31g | 8.8g | ~165 |
Five fruits, one packing liquid that sets the grade
Fruit cocktail is a blend — peaches, pears, grapes, pineapple, and cherries diced together — but the nutrition story isn’t really about the mix. It’s about what the fruit is canned in. Del Monte sells this in extra light syrup: water with only a small amount of added sugar, the lightest syrup tier short of packing in juice or water.
That choice is doing the heavy lifting on the score. At 60 calories and 13g of sugar per 1/2 cup, it sits right beside the lite pears and well below heavy-syrup cans, which bolt on enough added sugar to push the same serving toward 100 calories and 21g. The diced fruit underneath is ordinary; the reason this lands a respectable B- instead of a C is simply that Del Monte didn’t drown it in sweetener. When you compare fruit cans, ignore the fruit names on the front for a second and read the syrup tier — that’s the line that moves the grade.
What it’s good for, and where it stops
Used as fruit, this is a convenient, shelf-stable way to hit a serving — toss it on cottage cheese or yogurt, spoon it over oatmeal, or eat it drained straight from a bowl. The vitamins and fiber from five fruits are genuinely there, and the soft, ready-to-eat texture makes it an easy win for kids’ lunches and quick snacks.
Where it stops is protein. There’s none — 0g per serving — so this can’t anchor a meal the way a yogurt or an egg can; it’s the sweet accent, not the base. And because it’s fruit, even the extra-light pack stays sugar-forward (13g, mostly the fruit’s own with a little added). Two honest moves keep it on the healthy side of the line: reach for “in juice” or “extra light” over heavy syrup, and drain the liquid so you eat the fruit rather than drink the sweetened water.
Scope
This page covers Del Monte Fruit Cocktail In Extra Light Syrup, Lite (15 oz/425 g), UPC 024000167075, as represented in USDA Branded Foods FDC 2024245. Del Monte sells multiple variants in this product line — other sizes, flavors, or fat levels may have different macros and Labelgrade scores. Manufacturers periodically reformulate; always cross-reference the actual package label, especially if you have allergies or dietary restrictions.
Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)
FRUIT (PEACHES, PEARS, GRAPES, PINEAPPLE, CHERRIES [CHERRIES, CARMINE]), WATER, SUGAR.
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Quick Facts
Per serving · 0.5 cup
See how this fits your day — protein calculator · macro calculator
Full nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per Serving (0.5 cup) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 59.5 |
| Protein | 0g |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 15g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.992g |
| Total Sugars | 13g |
| Sodium | 4.96mg |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Calcium | 0mg |
| Iron | 0.36mg |
| Potassium | 100mg |
Scope: This page applies specifically to Del Monte, Fruit Cocktail In Extra Light Syrup, Lite (15 oz/425 g) · UPC 024000167075. Other sizes, flavors, or formulations may differ.
How this fits each diet
Each score is computed from the same USDA nutrition + ingredient data, against the published rules of each diet. They tell you "does this food fit this diet" — not whether the diet is right for you.
contains animal-derived ingredients
contains no listed meat or fish
no wheat, barley, rye, or malt detected in USDA ingredient list
Frequently Asked Questions
Is canned fruit cocktail healthy?
Yes, in moderation — it's a real mix of peaches, pears, grapes, pineapple, and cherries that keeps most of the fruit's vitamins and fiber. The packing liquid is what decides the grade, and this one is in extra-light syrup (water with just a little sugar), which keeps it close to fresh fruit rather than dessert. Drain it and it's a perfectly reasonable way to get a serving of fruit.
Why does this product score B- (71/100)?
Strong marks on saturated fat and sodium, plus an extra-light pack that keeps added sugar low, put it near the top of the canned-fruit group at 60 calories per 1/2 cup. What caps it at B- is the same thing that caps all fruit: no protein and a notable natural sugar load (13g), nudged up a touch by the small amount of added sugar in the syrup.
What does 'extra light syrup' mean — is it better than heavy syrup?
Yes, clearly. Extra-light syrup is mostly water with a small amount of added sugar, versus heavy syrup, which is a genuinely sweetened liquid. The payoff shows up on the label: this cocktail is 60 calories and 13g sugar per 1/2 cup, while a heavy-syrup fruit can like Del Monte's peaches runs 100 calories and 21g. Same kind of fruit, far less sugar — extra-light is the better buy.
How big is a serving, and should I drain the syrup?
A serving is 1/2 cup (124g). Yes — drain it. Part of the added sugar sits in the syrup rather than inside the fruit, so tipping off (or rinsing) the liquid lowers the sugar you actually eat while leaving the fruit's vitamins and fiber untouched. It's the easiest win with any canned fruit.
Is there a better canned-fruit pick?
For the lowest sugar, choose a fruit cocktail or single fruit packed in 100% juice or water instead of any syrup, and drain it. Those sit closest to fresh fruit. Among syrup options, this 'extra light' version is already near the best — the one label to avoid is 'heavy syrup.'
When was this data last verified?
2026-06-05, against USDA FoodData Central FDC 2024245. We re-verify top-traffic pages monthly and update within 7 days when a manufacturer reformulates.