Fruit cocktail, (peach and pineapple and pear and grape and cherry), canned, light syrup, solids and liquids
Whole food · Fruits and Fruit Juices
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a classic pantry staple: a colorful medley of diced peaches, pears, grapes, cherries, and pineapple chunks suspended in a light, sweet syrup. The texture is uniformly soft and yielding, with the pineapple offering a slight fibrous contrast and the grapes a gentle pop. Nutritionally, it's a low-fat, moderate-carb fruit source, providing quick energy primarily from its natural and added sugars.
Calorie split: 3% protein · 96% carbs · 1% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for its nostalgic, sweet-tart flavor profile and the delightful textural variety in every spoonful. It's a beloved, versatile ingredient that instantly brightens desserts, salads, and breakfasts.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is the high sugar content from both the fruit and the light syrup, which can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes. To counteract this, pair a serving with a source of protein or healthy fat (like yogurt, nuts, or cottage cheese) to slow sugar absorption, and practice portion control by choosing varieties packed in juice or water.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates
- Contains dietary fiber from mixed fruits
- Offers a convenient, no-prep fruit serving
- Low in fat and a source of some vitamins
- Shelf-stable and available year-round
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The modern fruit cocktail was popularized in the early 20th century by the California Packing Corporation (now Del Monte), which trademarked the term 'Fruit Cocktail' in 1930 to standardize the specific mix of diced fruits.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 84.4 g |
| Energy | 57.0 kcal |
| Energy | 238 kj |
| Protein | 0.40 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.07 g |
| Ash | 0.23 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 14.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 13.9 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 6.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.29 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 5.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 11.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 89.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 6.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.09 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.15 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.50 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.9 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.02 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.02 mg |
| Niacin | 0.38 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.06 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.05 mg |
| Folate, total | 3.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 3.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 3.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 3.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 10.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 104 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 39.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 208 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 75.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.50 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.6 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.01 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Is fruit cocktail healthy?
It can be part of a healthy diet in moderation. It provides fruit and fiber but is also high in added sugars. Opt for versions packed in 100% juice or water, and pair it with protein or fat for a more balanced snack.
What's the difference between fruit cocktail and fruit salad?
Fruit cocktail is a specific, standardized canned mix of diced peaches, pears, grapes, cherries, and pineapple in syrup or juice. Fruit salad is a broader term for any combination of fresh or canned fruits, often with a wider variety and no standardized recipe.
Can I use the syrup from the can?
Yes, the light syrup is edible and often used in recipes like gelatin molds, cakes, or to sweeten beverages. However, it is primarily sugar water, so using it adds extra calories and sugar to your dish.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.57 kcal/g · 3% calories from protein · 1.0 g fiber · 13.9 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.07 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.