Youfoodz Creamy Chicken Carbonara with Sliced Ham & Mushrooms
Youfoodz Creamy Chicken Carbonara with Sliced Ham & Mushrooms: independently scored 8.9/10 on Protein Score and 7.8/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
33.2g protein per serve · 391 cal · 3.4g sugar · 996mg sodium · 310g serve.
Overview
Youfoodz offers two very similar carbonara meals in the chiller aisle, and this one sits neck-and-neck with its FUEL'D sibling. Compared with the FUEL'D Chicken Carbonara, this version has a fraction less protein at 10.7g per 100g and a touch more sugar, making the choice between them a line-ball call on the day. The meal is built on a solid foundation of fettuccine pasta and 25% chicken breast, with ham and mushrooms mixed through the creamy sauce. That 996mg of sodium per serve, however, is a huge number, eating up around half of the 2000mg daily limit in one tray. It's a significant trade-off for the convenience and makes this a meal to plan around, not one to eat on repeat. Protein density is slightly above the 10.4g per 100g we see in the average ready meal, so it holds its own in the category. We appreciate that the sub-400 calorie count makes it a lighter option than many creamy pasta dishes, but the sodium figure remains the defining feature of the nutritional panel. Find this one in the chilled section at Coles. It's a straightforward microwave job, ready in a few minutes for a weeknight dinner when you cannot face the kitchen, or a post-gym refuel when you need protein without the prep.
Protein Score: 8.9/10
Is this actually a high-protein meal? With 33.2 grams of protein in a single 391-calorie tray, the answer is a firm yes. That protein hit is substantial for a supermarket ready meal, earning a 7.9/10 that puts it ahead of the category average. The protein-per-calorie metric is also strong at 8.5g per 100kcal, confirming the meal is protein-dense rather than padded out with sauce and carbs. It easily clears the 30g threshold for a high-protein dinner, making it a genuinely filling option. For a desk-lunch worker who wants a real meal or someone needing a post-training refuel without cooking, this delivers. The protein source is primarily real chicken breast, which is a solid foundation compared to meals that rely on cheaper fillers.
Clean Score: 7.8/10
This meal avoids artificial sweeteners, which is a positive starting point for any ready-made product. The ingredient list is long at 33 items, but the absence of sweeteners like sucralose (955) or aspartame (951) helps it land a 6.3/10 for its Clean Score. That score sits right on the category average, reflecting a typical level of processing for a meal designed for convenience and shelf life. The list includes preservatives like sodium metabisulphite (223), mineral salts, and vegetable gums to maintain the texture and stability of the sauce and ham. These additives are the trade-off for getting a creamy carbonara that heats consistently from a tray. While it's far from a whole-food meal you'd make from scratch, it's a standard example of what it takes to get a complex dish into a convenient, supermarket-ready format.
Wins
- A solid 33.2g of protein per serve makes this a genuine high-protein dinner.
- Under 400 calories per tray, which is efficient for the protein hit.
- No added sugar or artificial sweeteners on the ingredient list.
Watch outs
- The 996mg of sodium eats up half of your 2000mg daily limit in one meal.
- Contains 5.3g of saturated fat per serve, which is on the higher side.
- A long list of 33 ingredients points to a heavily processed meal.
Ingredients
Fettuccine (42%) (Durum Wheat), Chicken (25%), Water, Champignon Mushroom (9%) (Champignons, Salt, Acid (330), Antioxidant (300)), Ham (2.5%) (Soy, Modified Starch (1412), Acid (325), Mineral Salts (450, 451), Antioxidants (316, 250), Vegetable Gums (407, 412), Colour (120), Preservative (223)), Parmesan Cheese (Milk, Cultures, Non-Animal Rennet), Milk Powder, Chicken Booster (Colour (Carotene)), Butter (Milk), Flour (Wheat), Onion, Natural Flavour, Garlic (Acidity Regulator (260), Preservative (223)), White Pepper, Salt, Black Pepper, Chives.
33 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- How much sodium is in the Youfoodz Creamy Chicken Carbonara?
- The Youfoodz Creamy Chicken Carbonara contains 996mg of sodium per 310g serve, which is almost 50% of the 2000mg daily limit recommended for Australian adults. This is a significant sodium load for a single meal, making it an important factor to consider if you're monitoring your intake. While convenient, eating high-sodium meals regularly can make it challenging to stay within daily health guidelines. For context, this is more than double the sodium of many other ready meals we've scored in Australia for 2026.
- Is Youfoodz Creamy Chicken Carbonara a stronger on the numbers meal choice?
- We can't say if it's a stronger on the numbers choice for you, but the data for 2026 shows a clear trade-off. On one hand, it delivers a substantial 33.2g of protein, which is great for a post-workout refuel or a filling dinner. On the other hand, its 996mg of sodium represents nearly half your daily limit in one tray. It's also made with 33 ingredients, including several preservatives and gums, placing it on the more processed end of the spectrum. It's a convenient, high-protein option, but not one for ingredient-conscious shoppers or those watching their salt.
- How much protein is in the Youfoodz Creamy Chicken Carbonara?
- This meal packs 33.2 grams of protein into a single 310g tray, which is a very solid amount for a supermarket ready meal. The protein comes primarily from chicken breast, with smaller contributions from ham and cheese. This protein serving is well into the 'high-protein dinner' band (30-39g), making it a genuinely filling option that can support muscle recovery after training. It's one of the higher protein offerings in the Youfoodz lineup and well above the average for the ready meal category.
- Is the Youfoodz Creamy Chicken Carbonara good for building muscle?
- We don't give nutritional advice, but the 33.2g of protein per serve is a substantial contribution towards muscle repair and growth. For many people, a protein target is around 1.6-2.2g per kilogram of body weight per day, and this meal can certainly help you hit that number without needing a separate shake. The protein is sourced from chicken, ham, and dairy, offering a complete amino acid profile. It's a practical, no-prep option for a post-training dinner when you need a solid protein hit.
- Youfoodz Creamy Chicken Carbonara vs FUEL'D Chicken Carbonara: which is better?
- Choosing between the two depends on your priorities. This Creamy Chicken Carbonara has 10.7g of protein per 100g, while the FUEL'D version has slightly more at 10.8g per 100g. The FUEL'D tray is also a little lower in sugar. Both carry a heavy sodium load and a similar list of additives, so there isn't a huge difference in their processing level. If you're chasing the absolute highest protein figure, the FUEL'D option has a fractional edge, but both are strong performers on that metric within the Youfoodz range.
- Where can I buy Youfoodz Creamy Chicken Carbonara in Australia?
- Youfoodz Creamy Chicken Carbonara is typically stocked in the chiller aisle at Coles like Coles. As a chilled ready meal, it's designed to be stored in the fridge and heated in the microwave. While it's listed at Coles, stock can vary by store location. The brand is owned by HelloFresh and also operates its own delivery service, so you may be able to purchase it direct from the Youfoodz website as well.
- What's in the Youfoodz Creamy Chicken Carbonara?
- The meal is built on a base of fettuccine pasta (42%) and chicken breast (25%). The creamy carbonara sauce includes champignon mushrooms, ham, parmesan cheese, milk protein powder, and butter. The full ingredient list runs to 33 items, which includes thickeners like modified starch (1412), vegetable gums (407, 412), mineral salts, and preservatives like sodium metabisulphite (223) to maintain its texture and shelf life in the chiller aisle. It contains no artificial sweeteners.
- How does ProteinScore rank this ready meal?
- We don't publish the score in our FAQs, but we can explain the numbers behind it. The meal's protein density is 8.5g of protein for every 100 calories, which is a balanced figure for a ready meal containing pasta. Its 33.2g of protein per serve is well above the category average, making it a genuinely high-protein dinner. The main trade-off is the high sodium content, which is a common compromise for convenience and flavour in this category.