Gardein
Flavor:
Nashville Hot Chick’n Tenders
Ingredients:
Water, Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Canola Oil, Pea Protein Concentrate, Vital Wheat Gluten, 2% Or Less Of: Paprika, Salt, Methylcellulose, Spices, Ancient Grain Flour (Khorasan Wheat), Leavening (Cream Of Tartar, Sodium Bicarbonate), Dried Chile De Arbol, Dextrose, Sugar, Potato Starch, Wheat Gluten, Titanium Dioxide (Color), Natural Flavor, Lactic Acid, Paprika Extractives, Vinegar, Yeast, Yeast extract, Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Wheat, Salt), Caramelized Sugar (Sugar, Water), Garlic Powder, Maltodextrin, Onion Powder
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Gardein Nashville Hot Chick’n Tenders receive the lowest score on our scale for cleaner food options. This product is not organic and includes ingredients that raise concerns about health and safety.
The Gardein Nashville Hot Chick’n Tenders are constructed with a base of water, enriched wheat flour, and canola oil. They incorporate pea protein concentrate and vital wheat gluten to provide protein. The flavor profile is built with common spices, including paprika and chili de arbol. However, the product garners criticism for its inclusion of added sugars, specifically sugar and dextrose. These ingredients contribute to the negative scoring due to their impact on health.
Further scrutiny reveals the presence of additives that are considered potentially harmful. The product contains natural flavors, whose ambiguous sourcing and composition are problematic. Enriched wheat flour, while common in processed foods, is another ingredient that detracts from the product’s score because it often lacks the nutritional value of whole grains.
Known harmful additives are also present, with titanium dioxide and maltodextrin being the most significant. Titanium dioxide, used as a colorant, has been linked to health concerns and is therefore penalized in our scoring system. Maltodextrin, a sweetener and thickener, also carries potential health risks and contributes to the product’s low score.
Lastly, the tenders contain canola oil, an ingredient that is often processed and may not align with cleaner eating principles due to its typical extraction methods and potential genetic modification.
Our assessment of the Gardein Nashville Hot Chick’n Tenders leads to the recommendation to avoid this product. Despite its position in the market as a plant-based alternative to chicken tenders, the product’s ingredient list does not meet the standards for those seeking cleaner, healthier food options. The low rating reflects concerns over added sugars, potentially harmful additives, and the use of certain oils, which together suggest that consumers might be better served by seeking alternatives that prioritize organic, non-GMO, and minimally processed ingredients.
Certifications:
Product formulations and certifications may change. For current nutrition facts and ingredient
line information, check product packaging.
Alternatives
No Items found.
- Frozen Ready To Roast Vegetables – Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Multicolor Carrots, Broccoli Florets & Chickpeas
- Root Vegetable Hashbrowns With Yukon Gold Potatoes, Carrots & Sweet Potatoes
How We Rate
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for society, and for our ecosystem