Why is Chicken Tikka Masala classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The meal combines many industrially prepared components such as a complex sauce, modified maize starch, pre‑cooked chicken pieces, and a blend of spices, which places it in NOVA group 4 for ultra‑processed foods. It lists two main additives: colour (E160c, paprika extract) and an acidity regulator (E330, citric acid), and it also contains palm oil, a typical industrial ingredient.

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

With 3.25 g of sugar per 100 g, the product contributes a moderate amount of carbohydrates that should be counted within a diabetic meal plan, especially if larger portions are consumed. The salt level is low at 0.34 g per 100 g, well below the average for ready meals, making it relatively suitable for a hypertensive diet when portion‑controlled.

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

The meal is not vegan because it contains chicken, semi‑skimmed milk and yoghurt, and it is not keto‑friendly due to 10.75 g of carbohydrates per 100 g. It does not list pork or explicit non‑halal ingredients, but without halal certification the suitability cannot be confirmed. No gluten‑containing grains appear in the list, so it is likely gluten‑free, though cross‑contamination cannot be ruled out.

THE GYM KITCHEN • 400 g

CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Chicken Tikka Masala from The Gym Kitchen is a 400 g microwave‑ready one‑dish meal classified in the Composite foods and One‑dish meals groups. It carries a Nutri‑Score of A and falls into NOVA group 4, delivering about 91 kcal, 1.55 g fat, 0.4 g saturated fat, 3.25 g sugars and 0.34 g salt per 100 g – all lower than typical ready‑meal averages – while providing 7.5 g protein and 2 g fiber. Nevertheless, the product is ultra‑processed, contains additives such as colour (E160c) and citric acid (E330), includes palm oil, and lists milk as an allergen, which may be concerns for health‑focused consumers.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal91 kcal

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average ready‑meal values, this Chicken Tikka Masala supplies roughly half the calories (91 kcal vs 175 kcal per 100 g), about one‑third the fat (1.55 g vs 5.94 g), slightly less sugar (3.25 g vs 3.57 g), and markedly lower salt (0.34 g vs 3.55 g), while still providing 7.5 g of protein per 100 g.

Ingredients

Sauce (Tomato, Water, Onion, Semi-Skimmed Milk, Low Fat Yoghurt (Milk), Carrot, Garlic Purée, Ginger Purée, Modified Maize Starch, Sugar, Tomato Purée, Cumin, Ground Coriander, Lime Juice, Rapeseed Oil, Tandoori Masala Seasoning (Paprika, Salt, Coriander, Turmeric, Chilli Powder, Cumin Cinnamon, Ground Clove, Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid), Lemon Oil, Black Pepper, Ground Bay Leaf, Colour (Paprika Extract)), Ground Turmeric, Salt, Garam Masala Blend (Coriander, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Ginger, Fennel, Chilli Powder, Paprika, Cardamom, Clove, Cumin, Ground Bay Leaf, Spice Extracts, Turmeric), Fenugreek leaf, Chilli Powder, Colour (Paprika Extract)), Rice Mix (22%) (Brown Rice, Lentils, Spinach, Water, Onion, Cumin Seeds), Cooked Marinated Chicken Pieces (20%) (Chicken, Tomato Paste, Ginger, Corn Starch, Garlic, Palm Oil, Salt, Yoghurt Powder (Milk), Green Chilli, Spices, Colour (Paprika Extract), Herbs), Grilled Pepper and Onion Mix (16%) (Red Pepper, Onion).

84%

35%

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