Lean Cuisine, Chicken Chow Mein
Processing Score
10.9Ultra-Processed
02.55.08.010+
Nutrition Score
5/10Good
The processing score reflects 48 ingredients, including modified ingredients, enriched flour or grain, emulsifiers or gums, plus 1 more we flag. No nutrient exceeds our high thresholds.
Data Updated
Oct 18, 2026
UPC
013800166159
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Nutrition Facts
Serving size255 g
Amount per serving
Calories
220
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g
4%
Saturated Fat 1g
5%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 20mg
7%
Sodium 550mg
24%
Total Carbohydrate 37g
13%
Dietary Fiber 3g
11%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 12g
Calcium 40mg
3%
Iron 0.7mg
4%
Potassium 320mg
7%
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Ingredients
31 listed · 10 flagged for reviewBLANCHED ENRICHED LONG GRAIN PARBOILED RICE (WATER, RICE, IRON, NIACIN, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, FOLIC ACID), WATER, COOKED WHITE MEAT CHICKEN, CARROTS, WATER CHESTNUTS, CELERY, RED PEPPERS, 2% OR LESS OF SPINACH, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, SHERRY WINE, SOYBEAN OIL, SUGAR, SALT, ONIONS, SOYBEANS, WHEAT, SEASONING (FLAVOR, SUGAR, SALT, MALTODEXTRIN, SPICES, SOY LECITHIN), GARLIC PUREE, ISOLATED SOY PROTEIN, SESAME OIL, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, MOLASSES, SEASONING (DRIED CHICKEN BROTH, CHICKEN POWDER, NATURAL FLAVOR), MALTODEXTRIN, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, LACTIC ACID BLEND (LACTIC ACID, CALCIUM LACTATE), CARAMEL COLOR, WHEAT FLOUR, SPICES, ANNATTO COLOR, NATURAL FLAVOR.
Listed in source order (heaviest first). Select any ingredient to see its category bucket and other products that contain it.
Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?
In our analysis, Lean Cuisine, Chicken Chow Mein scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:
- Modified Starches (Modified Food Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
- Plant Proteins (Isolated Soy Protein): Isolated proteins require extensive industrial processing.
- Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
Within Frozen Dinners, this product is more processed than about 37% of the 5,358 products we've analyzed.
Processing classification reflects ingredient and additive analysis, not a judgment of any product's safety, quality, or healthfulness.
What These Ingredients Tell Us
We group Lean Cuisine, Chicken Chow Mein's ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.
- Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator
In this product: Soybean Oil, Sesame Oil.
Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.
- Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator
In this product: Sugar, Molasses, Maltodextrin.
Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.
- Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator
In this product: Salt.
Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.
- Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator
In this product: Autolyzed Yeast Extract.
Industrial fermentation for additive production.
- MineralsProcessing indicator
In this product: Potassium Chloride.
Added minerals often compensate for processing.
- Food AcidsProcessing indicator
In this product: Lactic Acid Blend (Lactic Acid, Calcium Lactate).
Common in both traditional and industrial foods.
- Natural ColorsProcessing indicator
In this product: Caramel Color, Annatto Color.
Natural sources but still indicate processing.
This product is part of our wider analysis. It features in our Lean Cuisine vs Healthy Choice and Amy's vs Lean Cuisine comparisons.
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Avoiding Wheat, Soy Or Sesame?
This product lists wheat, soy and sesame in its ingredients. Ketzal, our iPhone app, tracks these and other allergens and ingredients on your Avoid List. Download Ketzal to set up your own Avoid List and get an alert when a product you scan contains something on it.
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Less Processed Alternatives
Same category, with lower Processing Scores.
Beef Patties
Meal Mart
1.02.5
Less processed (Minimally Processed)
Boneless Skinless Chicken Tenderloins
Perdue
1.06.5
Less processed (Minimally Processed), higher nutrition score
Chana Masala Chickpeas and Brown Rice with Herbed Vegetables in a Masala Spiced Tomato Sauce, Chana Masala
1.06.0
Less processed (Minimally Processed), higher nutrition score
Chana Masala Chickpeas and Brown Rice with Herbed Vegetables in a Masala Spiced Tomato Sauce Simply Steamers, Chana Masala
Healthy Choice
1.06.0
Less processed (Minimally Processed), higher nutrition score
Similar Products
Same category, at a similar Processing level.
About our scores and this content
Processing and Nutrition Scores reflect the ingredient lists and nutrient data we observe; they are our analysis, not absolute measures of health. Read the full methodology. This information is provided for general nutrition education and is not medical, health, or dietary advice. Product formulations change often, so check the actual label before purchasing, and consult a registered dietitian or your physician for personal guidance.
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