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(McDonald’s nuggets have 362 milligrams of sodium per serving while these have 560 milligrams.) She also says the saturated fat in these nuggets is the same compared to McDonald’s chicken nuggets, too. “It’s higher than McDonald’s chicken nuggets!” Rifkin says. However these nuggets have one downfall: the sodium. What an RD thinks: “The fiber content is great, carbs are very reasonable, and protein is awesome,” Rifkin says. What’s in it: Water, pea protein isolate, canola oil, sodium alginate, citrus fiber, calcium chloride, oat fiber, vital wheat gluten, pea protein concentrate, maltodextrin, salt, natural flavor, yeast extract, palm oil, carrot fiber, citric acid, medium-chain triglycerides, onion powder, torula yeast, onion juice concentrate, flaxseed, methylcellulose, sunflower oil, rosemary extract, wheat flour, yellow corn flour, leavening.
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She also points out that it’s lower in fiber than the others on this list. “The ancient grain flour mix that is used may be providing some nutritional benefit in the form of some vitamins and minerals, however, it likely is not significant and not adding or detracting from nutritional value,” Rifkin says. It may also help with the texture of the product as well, but it does not provide any nutritional benefit,” she says. “Vital wheat gluten helps to provide more protein in the food product while methylcellulose is a filler ingredient that allows the manufacturer to add bulk to food without using other ingredients that may be more expensive. Their meatless chicken clearly has a longer ingredients list than the others on this list, and Rifkin says she’s into some of what’s on there, but other ingredients not so much. What an RD thinks: Gardein has been in the vegan meat game a long time-way before plant-based eating really took off. What’s in it: Water, soy protein isolate, vital wheat gluten, expeller pressed canola oil, methylcellulose, organic ancient grain flour, sea salt, potato starch, organic cane sugar, white distilled vinegar, organic soy sauce, color added, gum arabic, onion powder, garlic powder, pea protein, carrot fiber, beetroot fiber, paprika, turmeric extract. “While this makes pea protein slightly less desirable, it isn’t a big deal if someone is eating a wide variety of foods each day in order to consume all essential amino acids,” she says. However, she does say that nutritionally, soy is a complete protein (containing all the essential amino acids) while peas and fava beans are not. Soy is one of the top allergens for children and adults, so swapping out that ingredient for pea protein creates a product that can now be enjoyed by many more people,” she says. “Pea protein has become a popular substitute for soy protein in vegan products in recent years.
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Registered dietitian Melissa Rifkin, RD, says she’s into the primary sources of it used here, pea protein and fava bean protein. And with 11 grams of the nutrient per serving, this new vegan chicken available at Publix does just that. What an RD thinks: Anytime you substitute meat for a non-meat product, you want to make sure it delivers on the protein front. What’s in it: Pea protein, fava bean protein, pea fiber, canola oil, garlic powder, onion powder, vinegar, natural flavorings.