# Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers, Asian Sweet Sesame Chicken > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Healthy Choice - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Frozen Foods - **Size:** 9.75 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/healthy-choice-cafe-steamers-asian-sweet-sesame-chicken-975-oz - **Slug:** `healthy-choice-cafe-steamers-asian-sweet-sesame-chicken-975-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains multiple industrial formulations and additives (isolated soy protein, modified starches, sodium phosphates, emulsifiers) and is a ready-to-heat frozen meal, fitting the ultra-processed NOVA 4 category. ## Review Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Asian Sweet Sesame Chicken is a frozen, single-serve microwavable entrée you’d spot in the supermarket freezer aisle alongside other convenience frozen meals—near brands like Lean Cuisine, Stouffer’s, and other Healthy Choice varieties. It’s positioned as a health-forward ready meal for busy adults who still want comfort-food flavors without the effort: a grilled chicken-and-rice bowl glazed in a sweet sesame sauce with sugar snap peas, carrots and mushrooms. The packaging is a cardboard sleeve over a plastic steam-tray with clear nutrition callouts (300 calories, 16 g protein, 3 g fiber) and marketing cues like “no preservatives” and “GLP-1 friendly,” creating a tidy health halo without organic certification. Expect the ritual of peeling back the film, microwaving the tray until it steams, and eating straight from the container for a fast lunch or weeknight dinner. Sensory notes: tender white rice and bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a glossy, sticky-sweet sesame sauce with toasted sesame aroma, small crunchy peas and soft carrots and mushrooms offering texture contrast. From a processing perspective, this is a highly convenient, manufactured frozen meal made with cooked components and several industrial ingredients (modified starches, isolated soy protein, emulsifiers and salts) to stabilize texture and shelf life. Culturally it sits in the mid-market “better for you” frozen-meal segment—aimed at time-pressed, calorie-conscious shoppers who want a balance of flavor and perceived nutrition without cooking from scratch. ## Diet flags - Dairy-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1 - **Servings per container:** 1 - **Calories:** 300 - **Total fat:** 6g (8% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 1.5g (8% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 35mg (12% DV) - **Sodium:** 460mg (20% DV) - **Total carbs:** 43g (16% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 3g (11% DV) - **Total sugars:** 13g - **Added sugars:** 11g (22% DV) - **Protein:** 16g ## Ingredients COOKED RICE (WATER, WHITE RICE), COOKED CHICKEN (CHICKEN BREAST, WATER, OLIVE OIL, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: ISOLATED SOY PROTEIN PRODUCT [ISOLATED SOY PROTEIN, MODIFIED POTATO STARCH, CORN STARCH, CARRAGEENAN, SOY LECITHIN], DEXTROSE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, SALT, SODIUM PHOSPHATES, FLAVORING), WATER, SUGAR SNAP PEAS, CARROTS, MUSHROOMS, SUGAR, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: SOY SAUCE (WATER, WHEAT, SOYBEANS, SALT, ALCOHOL, VINEGAR, LACTIC ACID), MODIFIED CORN STARCH, SESAME OIL, SESAME SEEDS, RICE VINEGAR, GARLIC, COOKING WINE (WHITE WINE, NATURAL FLAVOR, SALT), GINGER, SALT, CANOLA OIL, CHILI PASTE (RED CHILI PEPPERS, DISTILLED VINEGAR, SALT). CONTAINS: SESAME, SOY, WHEAT. ## Flagged ingredients - **canola oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **sesame oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **soy lecithin** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, meal-prep-sunday, movie-night - **Vibes:** convenient, wholesome, comforting ## FAQ ### Is the Asian Sweet Sesame Chicken healthy? The Asian Sweet Sesame Chicken is a decent choice if you're looking for a quick meal that packs a protein punch—16 grams per serving! While it has some added sugars and sodium, it can fit into a balanced diet, especially if you're in a rush. Think of it as a convenience food that’s more nutritious than a fast-food option! ### Is it vegan? Nope, the Asian Sweet Sesame Chicken isn’t vegan. It contains cooked chicken breast, which is the star of the show here. If you're looking for plant-based options, you'll want to steer clear of this one. ### Is it gluten-free? Unfortunately, the Asian Sweet Sesame Chicken isn’t gluten-free. It contains soy sauce, which typically has wheat as an ingredient. If you're avoiding gluten, you might want to explore other options or brands that specifically cater to that dietary need. ### Does it contain seed oils? Yes, this dish contains canola oil and sesame oil, both of which are considered seed oils. They help with flavor and texture, but some folks prefer to limit their intake of seed oils due to concerns about processing and omega-6 fatty acids. It’s all about balance, though—these oils can still be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation! ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, the Asian Sweet Sesame Chicken doesn't have any artificial sweeteners! The sweetness you taste comes from added sugars, which are a bit more natural than some of those synthetic alternatives. So if you're not a fan of artificial ingredients, this one might be more up your alley. ### Is it high in sugar? Not quite! While it does contain 13 grams of total sugars per serving, it’s not considered high in sugar when you compare it to many processed foods out there. Just keep in mind that 11 grams of that comes from added sugars, which can add up, so it's best enjoyed in moderation. ### What are healthier alternatives? If you're looking for healthier alternatives, consider making a stir-fry at home with fresh veggies and a lean protein like chicken or tofu. You could also try other brands that offer frozen meals with lower sodium or sugar content. Homemade meals can be a great way to control what goes in, but hey, we all love a good frozen meal now and then! ### Can kids eat it? Absolutely! The Asian Sweet Sesame Chicken can be a kid-friendly option, especially if your little ones enjoy chicken and rice. Just keep an eye on the sodium content if you're serving it to kids regularly, and maybe pair it with some extra veggies on the side for a well-rounded meal. ### Is it good for weight loss? The Asian Sweet Sesame Chicken can fit into a weight loss plan if you're mindful of portion sizes and your overall calorie intake. With 300 calories and a good amount of protein, it can be filling without going overboard. Just remember, it’s all about balance and making sure it aligns with your personal goals! ### Is it ultra-processed? You could say this dish is on the processed side of the spectrum, as it includes ingredients like isolated soy protein and modified corn starch. However, it doesn’t contain preservatives or artificial dyes, so it’s not ultra-processed in the same way some other frozen meals are. It’s a convenient option, but definitely not a whole food! ## Related products - [The Skinny Cow Sandwiches, Chocolate & Vanilla 4 ea](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/the-skinny-cow-sandwiches-chocolate-vanilla-4-ea-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/the-skinny-cow-sandwiches-chocolate-vanilla-4-ea-16-oz - [Furlani Garlic Knots](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/furlani-garlic-knots-8-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/furlani-garlic-knots-8-oz - [Smuckers Uncrustables Peanut Butter & Grape 15 Count](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/smuckers-smuckers-uncrustables-peanut-butter-grape-15-count-30-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/smuckers-smuckers-uncrustables-peanut-butter-grape-15-count-30-oz - [Hanover Steam In Bag Vegetables, Petite Whole Carrots](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/hanover-steam-in-bag-vegetables-petite-whole-carrots-12-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/hanover-steam-in-bag-vegetables-petite-whole-carrots-12-oz - [Earthbound Farm Broccoli Florets, Organic](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/earthbound-farm-broccoli-florets-organic-9-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/earthbound-farm-broccoli-florets-organic-9-oz - [Ore-Ida Cheese,Sausage & Pepperoni Bagel Bites](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bagel-bites-ore-ida-cheesesausage-pepperoni-7-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bagel-bites-ore-ida-cheesesausage-pepperoni-7-oz - [Kraft Cool Whip Original Whipped](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/cool-whip-kraft-original-whipped-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/cool-whip-kraft-original-whipped-16-oz - [Edy’S/Dreyer’S Slow Churned Mint Chocolate Chip Light Ice Cream, 1.5 Qt](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/edysdreyers-edysdreyers-slow-churned-mint-chocolate-chip-light-ice-cream-15-qt-15-qt) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/edysdreyers-edysdreyers-slow-churned-mint-chocolate-chip-light-ice-cream-15-qt-15-qt ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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