HUNT'S Dinner Sauce, Chicken scores 49/100, a 'Decent' rating, primarily due to its NOVA 3 classification as a processed food, despite offering some beneficial micronutrients.
HUNT'S Dinner Sauce, Chicken has a FoodScore of 49/100.
It provides 35% DV of Vitamin A and 11% DV of Vitamin C per 100g.
The product is classified as NOVA 3 (processed), contributing a -5 penalty to its score.
Compared to a generic whole-grain equivalent, this sauce offers less fiber (1.6g per 100g).
A 0.5 cup serving contains 261.9mg of sodium, which is 11% of the daily value.
Scores +2 points above the grain category average (47/100 across 2269 foods).
Fiber
1.6g
6% of Daily Value
Protein
1.59g
3% of Daily Value
Added sugar
0g
0% of Daily Value
Sodium
261.9mg
11% of Daily Value
+
What it brings to the table
Micronutrients (Vitamin A, Vitamin C)+4
−
What holds it back
Processed (NOVA 3)-5
Why it scores 49
HUNT'S Dinner Sauce, Chicken receives a FoodScore of 49 out of 100, placing it in the 'Decent' category. This score reflects a balance of some nutritional positives and the impact of its processing level. The product gains a bonus of 4 points for its micronutrient content, specifically providing 35% DV of Vitamin A and 11% DV of Vitamin C per 100g. However, it incurs a 5-point penalty because it is classified as NOVA 3, indicating it is a processed food. While the ingredient list includes whole foods like diced tomatoes and tomato puree, the presence of ingredients such as calcium chloride and dried cane syrup contributes to its NOVA 3 classification. The sauce contains 1.6g of fiber and 1.59g of protein per 100g, which are not significant enough to earn additional bonuses, nor are they low enough to trigger penalties. With 261.9mg of sodium per 100g, it contributes to daily intake but does not exceed thresholds for a penalty. Compared to a generic whole-grain equivalent, this sauce provides a different nutritional profile, lacking the higher fiber and complex carbohydrates typically found in whole grains.
Health benefits
What the nutrients in hunt's, dinner sauce, chicken, hunt's, dinner sauce, chicken actually do for you, grounded in established dietary science.
Source of Key Vitamins
HUNT'S Dinner Sauce, Chicken is a notable source of certain vitamins. Per 100g, it provides 35% DV of Vitamin A and 11% DV of Vitamin C. Vitamin A is important for vision, immune function, and cell growth, while Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports immune health and collagen production. Incorporating this sauce can help contribute to your daily intake of these essential micronutrients, especially when paired with other nutrient-dense foods in a meal.
Low in Saturated and Trans Fats
This dinner sauce is formulated to be low in less desirable fats. It contains 0g of saturated fat and 0g of trans fat per 100g. Limiting intake of saturated and trans fats is a key recommendation in dietary guidelines for maintaining cardiovascular health. The use of extra virgin olive oil and olive oil in the ingredient list contributes some monounsaturated fats, which are generally considered beneficial, without adding significant amounts of saturated fat.
Versatile Base for Nutrient-Rich Meals
While a processed food, HUNT'S Dinner Sauce, Chicken can serve as a convenient base for building more nutritious meals. Its tomato-based profile, rich in diced tomatoes and tomato puree, provides a foundation that can be enhanced with lean proteins, additional vegetables, and whole grains. This allows for easy integration into home-cooked meals, helping consumers create balanced dishes with minimal preparation time, thereby encouraging more home cooking.
HUNT'S Dinner Sauce, Chicken scores 49/100, a 'Decent' rating, primarily due to its NOVA 3 classification as a processed food, despite offering some beneficial micronutrients.
How to eat it
HUNT'S Dinner Sauce, Chicken is typically used as a quick and convenient sauce for poultry dishes, often served over rice or pasta. A common portion is 0.5 cup (125g), which provides a flavorful addition to a meal.
Pair with lean protein sources like chicken breast or fish to create a balanced meal.
Increase the fiber content by serving over whole-wheat pasta or brown rice instead of refined grains.
Boost vegetable intake by stirring in sautéed spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini during cooking.
To manage sodium intake, consider using this sauce as a flavor base and diluting it with unsalted tomato puree or water.
Things to keep in mind
This product is classified as NOVA 3, indicating it is a processed food. While generally safe for consumption, individuals monitoring their sodium intake should be aware that a 0.5 cup serving contains 261.9mg of sodium. The ingredient list includes calcium chloride, a firming agent, and dried cane syrup, a form of sugar, which are common in processed tomato products. For most healthy individuals, these ingredients are not a concern in typical serving sizes. There are no declared common allergens such as milk, soy, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, or egg in the ingredient list. Individuals with specific sensitivities to tomato products or spices should review the full ingredient list carefully.
HUNT'S Dinner Sauce, Chicken has a FoodScore of 49/100, indicating it's a 'Decent' choice. It provides some beneficial micronutrients like Vitamin A (35% DV) and Vitamin C (11% DV) per 100g. However, it is a processed food (NOVA 3), which impacts its overall score. It can be part of a healthy diet when balanced with whole, unprocessed foods.
How does HUNT'S Dinner Sauce, Chicken compare to other brands?
Compared to a generic whole-grain equivalent, HUNT'S Dinner Sauce, Chicken offers a different nutritional profile, with less fiber and complex carbohydrates. When compared to other branded chicken dinner sauces, such as those from Prego or Ragu, its nutritional value would depend on their specific formulations, particularly regarding added sugars, sodium, and micronutrient content. Always check the nutrition facts label for direct comparisons.
What is 'dried cane syrup' in the ingredient list?
Dried cane syrup is a form of sugar derived from sugarcane. While it may sound more 'natural' than refined sugar, nutritionally it functions similarly to other added sugars. In HUNT'S Dinner Sauce, Chicken, it contributes to the overall flavor profile. This product declares 0g of added sugar per 100g, suggesting the amount of dried cane syrup is minimal.
What is a reasonable portion size for this dinner sauce?
The declared serving size for HUNT'S Dinner Sauce, Chicken is 0.5 cup (125g). This portion provides 60 calories, 2g of protein, and 327mg of sodium. Sticking to the recommended serving size helps manage calorie and sodium intake, especially when combining it with other meal components like pasta or rice.
Can this sauce be used for dishes other than chicken?
Yes, while branded as 'Chicken Dinner Sauce,' its tomato and herb flavor profile is versatile. It can be used as a base for other protein dishes, such as with pork or plant-based proteins like chickpeas or lentils. It could also be incorporated into vegetable stews or as a topping for baked potatoes, offering a convenient flavor boost.