Chicken nuggets. Those golden, bite-sized bundles of joy hold a special place in our hearts (and freezers). But hold the ketchup for a second – lurking beneath that crispy exterior can be a world of questionable ingredients, sky-high sodium, and unhealthy fats. Before you toss another bag in your cart, dive into our list of 15 chicken nugget brands to avoid. We’ll expose the not-so-secret ingredients hiding inside and clear you of potential health pitfalls.
Perdue Simply Stripes Chicken Breast Nuggets
Despite the seemingly wholesome name, Perdue Simply Stripes falls short. These nuggets sneak in mechanically separated chicken, a product made from leftover chicken scraps, not prime cuts of meat. They’re also packed with fillers like wheat flour and corn flour and boast a higher-than-average fat content than other brands on this list.
Banquet Classic Chicken Nuggets
These might be budget-friendly, but that affordability comes at a cost. Loaded with sodium (over 600mg per 5-piece serving!), these can contribute to bloating, high blood pressure, and other concerns. The presence of TBHQ, a preservative linked to potential health issues, is another reason to skip these nuggets.
McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets
While McDonald’s has revamped their McNugget recipe to remove artificial flavors and colors, they still have a concerning quantity of sodium (over 610 mg per 5-piece serving). This can lead to water retention and contribute to hypertension. Additionally, questionable fillers like soy protein concentrate add unnecessary bulking agents.
Tyson Dino Nuggets
Even though it might be a fun option for kids, the “fun” ends with the shape. Tyson Dino Nuggets offer an unhealthy amount of sodium (over 480mg per 4-piece serving) and fillers like wheat flour. More importantly, they also have MSC.
Burger King Chicken Nuggets
Don’t be fooled by the similar name – Burger King’s Chicken Nuggets are a different beast altogether. While they’ve removed artificial flavors and colors, they still include too much sodium (nearly 600mg per 5-piece serving), which can strain your heart health. The breading is often thick and greasy, adding unnecessary fat.
Jennie-O Turkey Nuggets
Including turkey might sound like a healthier option, but these nuggets are a blend of white meat chicken and turkey. This means they still have a significant portion of chicken, potentially with MSC. Additionally, with over 450 mg of sodium per 4-piece serving, they make up a big part of your daily sodium intake.
Great Value Chicken Nuggets
Value might be great, but the quality of these nuggets leaves much to be desired. They’re a generic brand option often loaded with sodium (over 550 mg per 4-piece serving) and questionable fillers like textured soy protein concentrate. This filler adds bulk and mimics the texture of meat but offers little nutritional value. They might also include artificial flavors and colors depending on the specific variety.
Wendy’s Chicken Nuggets
Wendy’s might be known for its frosty treats, but its chicken nuggets deserve a side-eye. While they boast no artificial flavors or colors, they still have a worrying dose of sodium (over 600 mg per 4-piece serving). Also, they contain a considerable amount of trans fat, so you better not get this menu item.
Popeyes’ Chicken McNuggets
Popeyes might be famous for their spicy fried chicken, but their nuggets fall short of that deliciousness. Sodium is a primary culprit (over 600mg per 4-piece serving). The breading can be dense and greasy, and the fillers like yellow corn flour and textured soy protein concentrate add unnecessary bulk with little nutritional value. They might also contain artificial flavors and colors depending on the specific variety.
Member’s Mark Chicken Nuggets
These warehouse club nuggets might seem like a great deal, but the quality can be lacking. With sodium over 650 mg per 5-piece serving, they can lead to bloating, hypertension, and other concerns. The “chicken” is often a mix of questionable cuts and mechanically separated parts, with minimal actual whole-muscle chicken.
Oscar Mayer Chicken Dippers
Known for its lunch meats, Oscar Mayer also offers chicken dippers. However, these dippers are high in trans fat, additives, and sodium, exceeding 530 mg per 4-piece serving, which can contribute to water retention and other problems.
Hillshire Farm Naturals Chicken Nuggets
The word “Naturals” might be misleading. While these nuggets boast no artificial flavors or colors, they still have MSC. Additionally, they contain fillers like wheat flour and rice flour, and hidden sugars can creep in through added chicken broth.
Whole Foods 365 Chicken Nuggets
While Whole Foods is known for its focus on organic and natural products, its 365-brand chicken nuggets raise some eyebrows. They contain MSC. The breading might be made with whole wheat flour, which sounds healthy at first glance, but it can be denser and less crispy than traditional options. The sodium content, while lower than some other brands on this list, still sits around 400mg per 4-piece serving.
Tyson Anytizers Chicken Nuggets
Tyson Anytizers nuggets are best left on the shelf. They’re packed with sodium (over 500mg per 4-piece serving), which can strain your daily intake.
Pilgrim’s Chicken Nuggets
They offer convenience but lack nutrition. While some varieties contain white meat chicken, some sneak in MSC, and the breading is packed with processed ingredients. Again, the biggest concern is the high sodium content, clocking in at around 460 mg per serving.
