Why is Grilled Chicken Pesto & Vegetables classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product contains multiple processed components such as a basil pesto sauce made with cheese, cream, butter and starches, as well as isolated soy protein, rice starch and natural flavorings, which place it in the ultra-processed NOVA 4 category. The only listed additive is locust bean gum (E410), a thickening agent, alongside other processing aids like enzymes and flavor enhancers.

How does the sugar and salt content in this product affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With only 1.16 g of sugar per 100 g, the meal contributes minimally to daily carbohydrate limits for most diabetics, but it still adds 0.58 g of salt, which can raise blood pressure and may be too high for strict hypertensive diets that aim for less than 0.3 g of salt per serving.

Based on the ingredient list, is this product suitable for vegan, keto or gluten‑free diets?

The meal is not vegan because it contains chicken, milk, cheese, cream and butter. It is likely gluten‑free as no wheat‑derived ingredients are listed. Its very low carbohydrate content (4.25 g total carbs, 1.16 g sugars) makes it compatible with a keto approach, provided the consumer accepts the animal‑based proteins and dairy.

Healthy Choice

Grilled Chicken Pesto & Vegetables

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Grilled Chicken Pesto & Vegetables is a frozen, ready-made one-dish meal classified in the Composite foods group. It earns a Nutri-Score of A and falls in NOVA 4, indicating an ultra-processed product with added flavorings, locust bean gum (E410) and dairy-derived allergens. Nutritionally it is low in fat (1.9 g), sugars (1.16 g) and salt (0.58 g) while providing a good protein boost (10.8 g per 100 g), though the moderate sodium and presence of milk and soy may be concerns for some consumers.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal77 kcal

Fat1.9 g

Saturated Fat1 g

Trans Fat0 g

Monounsaturated Fat0.8 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average frozen meals, this dish has about one-third the sugar, roughly one-third the fat, and only a sixth of the salt, while delivering roughly 50% more protein per 100 g.

Ingredients

Vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, peas). seasoned cooked chicken (chicken breast, water, sugar, sea salt, olive oil, isolated soy protein, soy fiber, rice starch, natural flavoring). basil pesto sauce (water, parmesan cheese [pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes], romano cheese from cow's milk [part skim milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes], corn starch, cream, contains 2% or less of: whey protein concentrate, basil, potassium chloride, sea salt, natural flavorings, butter [cream, salt], locust bean gum). contains: milk, soy.

84%

35%

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