Why is Tex-Mex classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The snack includes refined palm oil, a cheese‑flavoring blend with whey powder, MSG, glucose, several powders (garlic, tomato, onion), maltodextrin and three colorants (carotenes, paprika extract, annatto). These industrial ingredients and flavor enhancers place it in the NOVA 4 category.

How does the sugar and salt content in Tex-Mex affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 3.3 g of sugar per 100 g, the snack adds a modest carbohydrate load, which can raise blood glucose if consumed in large amounts, while 1.24 g of salt contributes to daily sodium intake and may challenge blood‑pressure control for hypertensive individuals.

Based on its ingredients, is Tex-Mex suitable for vegan, keto, halal, or gluten‑free diets?

Tex-Mex is not vegan because it contains whey powder and cheese flavoring derived from dairy, and it is not keto-friendly due to its high carbohydrate (≈58 g) and moderate fat profile. It does not contain pork, but the use of MSG and potential cross‑contamination with wheat mean halal certification cannot be assumed, and the label notes possible wheat traces, so it is not guaranteed gluten‑free.

Snack Day • 150 g

Tex-Mex

Salty Snacks

Product Insights

Tex-Mex is a corn‑based, cheese‑flavored snack marketed by Snack Day and sold at Lidl in Spain. It belongs to the Salty snacks and Appetizers groups, carries a Nutri‑Score of D and is classified as a NOVA 4 ultra‑processed food, with high fat (≈27 g per 100 g), moderate saturated fat (3 g), low sugars (3.3 g) and moderate salt (1.24 g). The presence of palm oil, dairy‑derived flavorings, MSG and several colorants raises concerns about health and sustainability, while its fiber content (≈3.9 g) offers a modest benefit.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal508 kcal

Fat26.9 g

Saturated Fat3 g

Carbohydrates58.5 g

Sugars3.3 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average corn‑chip snacks, Tex‑Mex contains more total fat (26.9 g vs 23.6 g) and less sugar (3.3 g vs 3.84 g), while its saturated fat is lower (3 g vs 5.11 g) and its salt level (1.24 g) is well below the category average.

Ingredients

69% maíz, grasa de palma, aromas con sabor a queso (suero de leche en polvo, sal, potenciador del sabor: glutamato monosódico; glucosa, ajo en polvo, tomate en polvo, cebolla en polvO, azúcar, queso en polvo, proteínas vegetales hidrolizadas (soja), maltodextrina, colorantes: carotenos, extracto de pimentón, annato). Puede contener trazas de trigo.

84%

35%

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