Chicken nuggets
Tyson Chicken Nuggets
1.81 lb
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
- Contains seed oils
- No synthetic dyes
- Contains whole grains
Why it scores 47
Tyson Chicken Nuggets scores 47 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Brown sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 5 points Salt 1.3 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better chicken nuggets and tenders
-
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Tenderloins Just Bare · 112 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 100 out of 100 , 53 points higher -
Organic Grilled Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Whole Foods Market · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 100 out of 100 , 53 points higher -
Chicken Breast Tenderloins Trader Joe's · 40 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 100 out of 100 , 53 points higher -
Skinless diced chicken Bell & Evans Air Chilled Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 95 out of 100 , 48 points higher -
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts TenderBird · 48 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 91 out of 100 , 44 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- Brown sugar minus 20 points
- Modified starch minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
- Vegetable oil (unspecified) 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
- Saturated fat 3.3 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Salt 1.3 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Protein 12.2 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 53.5 = 46.5 → 47
Can’t score above 79. Contains brown sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 111 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 14.4 g |
| Saturated fat | 3.3 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 13.3 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1.1 g |
| Protein | 12.2 g |
| Salt | 1.3 g |
Serving: 90g
Ingredients
- White meat chicken
- water
- wheat flour
- brown sugar (high concern)
- dried garlic
- dried onion
- dried yeast
- extractives of paprika
- food starch
- natural flavor
- oat fiber
- salt
- spices
- wheat starch
- white whole wheat flour
- yellow corn flour
- vegetable oil
Label text, as published
White meat chicken, water, wheat flour, brown sugar, dried garlic, dried onion, dried yeast, extractives of paprika, food starch, natural flavor, oat fiber, salt, spices, wheat starch, white whole wheat flour, yellow corn flour, vegetable oil.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Wheat, Gluten
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More chicken nuggets on GoodSwap
-
Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks Kirkland · 64 oz High in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 63 out of 100 Good -
Chicken Nuggets Impossible · 13.5 oz (383 g) Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oilsNo synthetic dyes Score 20 out of 100 Poor -
Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks Just Bare · 64 oz (4 lb) Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 53 out of 100 Okay -
Chicken Nuggets Perdue · 22 oz Contains added sugarsCertified organic Score 51 out of 100 Okay -
Dino Nuggets Tyson · 29 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 51 out of 100 Okay -
Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks Kirkland Signature · 64 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 50 out of 100 Okay
More from Tyson
Sources
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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
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21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
-
“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