Plant Based Nuggets

Why Does This Score Highly Processed?

In our analysis, Plant Based Nuggets scores Highly Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Plant Proteins (Seasoned Plant Protein Portion: Vegan Fibers (Water, Pea Protein Isolate, Canola Oil, Sodium Alginate, Citrus Fiber, Calcium Chloride)): Isolated proteins require extensive industrial processing.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Pea Protein Concentrate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Methylcellulose): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavoring (Sunflower Oil And Rosemary Extract), Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Frozen Dinners, this is among the less processed 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 Plant Based Nuggets' ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Seasoning [Maltodextrin (From Corn), Salt, Natural Flavor, Yeast Extract, Palm Oil, Carrot Fiber, Citric Acid, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Onion Powder, Torula Yeast, Onion Juice Concentrate, Spice, Canola Oil].

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Breading Set In Vegetable Oil (Including Soybean Oil).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.