News Flash: Chicken Nugget Aren’t Healthy!

May 6, 2010

MSNBC

By Michael Hill
Consumer Reports put chicken nuggets to the test and found many brands are loaded with salt and fat.

After evaluating 14 supermarket brands of refrigerated and frozen chicken nuggets — including two chicken-like nuggets made from soy — Consumer Reports Health said that choosing a healthier nugget will mean sacrificing flavor.

While none of the 14 brands received a “poor” nutritional rating from the health website, which is associated with Consumer Reports magazine, the only brand to get a “very good” nutrition rating — Health is Wealth — didn’t get high marks in taste.The site also urged consumers not to be misled by brands that are advertised as natural or organic, terms that aren’t necessarily indicators of nutritious foods.

For instance, Consumer Reports said that while Tyson accurately claims its chicken nuggets are “100 percent all natural,” one serving (about 3 to 4 ounces) of its nuggets has 270 calories, 17 grams of fat and 470 milligrams of sodium.

It’s generally recommended that people consume fewer than 65 grams of fat and 2,300 milligrams a sodium a day.

Consumer Reports gave Tyson’s nuggets a “fair” rating for nutrition.
“Whatever the claims that are being made, you definitely want to turn to the nutritional panel on the product and see if it matches what you’re looking for,” said Gayle Williams, deputy editor of Consumer Reports Health.

Click here for the full report.