Why is Thai Green Lentil Curry classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

It receives a NOVA 4 rating because the meal is assembled from industrially processed ingredients such as cooked lentils and beans, coconut cream, maize starch, and a ready‑made green‑curry blend, and it includes the additives paprika extract (E160c) for colour and citric acid (E330) as an acidity regulator.

How does the low sugar and salt content of Thai Green Lentil Curry affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With only 1.2 g of sugars and 0 g of salt per 100 g, the curry is suitable for diabetic and hypertensive individuals concerned about blood glucose spikes and sodium intake, although the total carbohydrate load and overall calorie count should still be considered within the context of the whole diet.

Is Thai Green Lentil Curry suitable for a vegan or gluten‑free diet?

All listed ingredients are plant‑based and contain no wheat or other gluten‑containing grains, making the product vegan and gluten‑free, although consumers with coconut allergies should note the presence of coconut cream.

Merchant Gourmet

Thai Green Lentil Curry

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Thai Green Lentil Curry is a ready‑to‑heat, one‑dish meal that belongs to the Composite foods (One‑dish meals) PNNS group. It carries a Nutri‑Score of A, reflecting its low sugar (1.2 g/100 g), low salt (0 g), modest saturated fat (2.2 g), high fiber (3.1 g) and high fruit/vegetable/legume content (≈96 %), but it is rated NOVA 4, indicating an ultra‑processed formulation. While the meal provides a balanced plant‑based protein source from lentils and mung beans, the inclusion of additives such as paprika extract (E160c) and citric acid (E330) and the presence of coconut cream may be concerns for some consumers.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal99 kcal

Fat2.5 g

Saturated Fat2.2 g

Carbohydrates12 g

Sugars1.2 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average prepared meal (174 kcal, 3.6 g sugars, 5.9 g fat, 3.6 g salt, 1.9 g saturated fat, 2.1 g fiber, 7.2 g protein per 100 g), Thai Green Lentil Curry delivers about 99 kcal, 1.2 g sugars, virtually no salt, slightly higher saturated fat at 2.2 g, more fiber at 3.1 g, and lower protein at 5.4 g.

Ingredients

Cooked Green Lentils (41%) (Water, Green Lentils), Cooked Mung Beans (21%) (Water, Mung Beans), Coconut Cream (10%), Green Beans (8%), Red Pepper (6%), Spinach (3.2%), Green Curry Seasoning (2.5%) (Sugar, Maize Starch, Dried Glucose Syrup, Desiccated Coconut, Ground Cumin, Garlic Powder, Ground Ginger, Ground Coriander, Onion Powder, Garlic Granules, Ground Turmeric, Yeast Extract, Acidity Regulator [Citric Acid], Salt, Chilli Powder, Dried Rubbed Parsley, Natural Flavourings, Colour [Paprika Extract]), Onions, Ginger Purée, Garlic Purée, Coriander, Lime Juice, Red Chilli, Salt, Thai Basil (0.4%), Galangal, Cumin Powder, Lime Leaf, Cornflour, Lemongrass (0.2%), Tumeric Extract, Colour

84%

35%

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