Frozen foods
Lean Cuisine CHICKEN PARMESAN with spaghetti in tomato sauce
10.875 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
Why it scores 50
Lean Cuisine CHICKEN PARMESAN with spaghetti in tomato sauce scores 50 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 3 points 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: firming agent, industrial protein and modified starch. Emerging
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better frozen meals
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Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti Rao’s Made For Home · 25 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 88 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Everyday Dal Black Lentil, Tomato & Cumin Maya Kaimal · 10 oz/284 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 90 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Chicken Fajita Protein Bowl Cedarlane Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 97 out of 100 , 47 points higher -
Tuscan-Inspired Chicken Hungryroot · 340 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 94 out of 100 , 44 points higher -
Kung Pao Chicken Trader Ming's · 23 oz (1 lb 7 oz) 652 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 95 out of 100 , 45 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
CHICKEN PARMESAN with spaghetti in tomato sauce
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Modified starch minus 2.5 points
- Calcium chloride minus 2.5 points
- Wheat gluten minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Salt 0.6 g / 100 g minus 3 points
100 − 50.5 = 49.5 → 50
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 114 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 2.9 g |
| Saturated fat | 1 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14.3 g |
| Sugars | 2.6 g |
| Added sugars | 1.3 g |
| Fiber | 1.3 g |
| Protein | 7.1 g |
| Salt | 0.6 g |
Serving: 1 package (308 g)
Ingredients
- SAUCE: TOMATOES
- TOMATO JUICE
- WATER
- TOMATO PASTE
- ONIONS
- PARMESAN CHEESE (CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES)
- SUGAR (high concern)
- SPICES
- MODIFIED FOOD STARCH
- GARLIC
- SALT
- GARLIC PUREE
- POTASSIUM SALT
- CITRIC ACID
- DRIED ONIONS
- CALCIUM CHLORIDE
- COOKED PASTA (WATER, SEMOLINA WHEAT FLOUR, WHEAT GLUTEN)
Label text, as published
SAUCE: TOMATOES, TOMATO JUICE, WATER, TOMATO PASTE, ONIONS, PARMESAN CHEESE (CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES), SUGAR, SPICES, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, GARLIC, SALT, GARLIC PUREE, POTASSIUM SALT, CITRIC ACID, DRIED ONIONS, CALCIUM CHLORIDE. COOKED PASTA (WATER, SEMOLINA WHEAT FLOUR, WHEAT GLUTEN) COOKED PARMESAN BREADED CHICKEN BREAST PATTY WITH RIB MEAT (CHICKEN BREAST MEAT WITH RIB MEAT, WATER, ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRITE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID], WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, 2% OR LESS OF PARMESAN CHEESE [CULTURED MILK, ENZYMES, SALT], WHEAT GLUTEN, SUGAR, SALT, SEASONING [OAT FIBER, CHICKEN STOCK, NATURAL FLAVOR], RICE STARCH, ONION POWDER, GARLIC POWDER, SPICE, PAPRIKA, NATURAL FLAVOR, DRIED PARSLEY) PART SKIM MOZZARELLA CHEESE AND MODIFIED FOOD STARCH (PART-SKIM MOZZARELLA CHEESE [CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES], MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, SKIM MILK)
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Soy, Wheat, Gluten
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
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More from Lean Cuisine
Sources
-
Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org