Frozen Meals ok???

MNSchulz88

I keep getting told by countless people that Frozen Meals: Healthy Choice Steamers, Smart Ones, Kashi, Lean Cuisines ect are TERRIBLE!?!?! I eat 1 every day for lunch on a 1200 calorie diet this is vs the cafeteria 2,000 calorie lunch I used to eat........I make smart choices like ones that are high in protein and low in calories....am I sabatoging my new lifestyle change by eating these??????

BarbieAS

Terrible based on what? Which aspect of the meals is being identified as terrible?

If they fit your calorie and macro goals, and you don't have health issues that require you to watch your sodium (they do tend to be high in sodium, I'll definitely admit that), then what about them might sabotage your eating plan?

girlviernes

They are OK. If they help you stick to your plan then don't feel guilty about choosing them. Over time you may find alternatives that are even better. The problems I personally have with frozen meals are that they are high in sodium and usually too low in calories to be a complete meal, and don't really have the macros I want (I want them to be higher protein and higher fat). When I have time, I prefer to cook in batches and pre-portion for quick lunches.

MNSchulz88

No one really says why.....everyone just says "don't eat those...they are so bad for you" I agree they can be high in sodium but I only eat 1 per day for lunch and watch my sodium intake otherwise....

BarbieAS wrote: »

Terrible based on what? Which aspect of the meals is being identified as terrible?

If they fit your calorie and macro goals, and you don't have health issues that require you to watch your sodium (they do tend to be high in sodium, I'll definitely admit that), then what about them might sabotage your eating plan?

trishd6

I don't think they are terrible. but one thing you have to watch is the sodium, there is a lot of sodium in those little meals but as long as you stay at or under your sodium count for the day you should be fine. I think the reason people say they are terrible is because it is processed food. I usually do a lean cuisine once or twice a week for lunch but try to switch it up so you are not relying solely on processed foods.

lovingmylifein2013

I eat Smart Ones and Healthy Choice meals anytime I get on a weight loss kick for my lunches they are quick and easy obviously and I have always lost the weight. Last year Ilost 35 lbs. and starting again as of yesterday. Im all for them.

eruntalon84

Ignoring pseudoscience and vague warnings of foods being "bad" does wonders for your health

Roxiegirl2008

I typically don't eat them. Not because they are bad but because I don't like the taste of them. I would prefer to make some brown rice and chicken the night before or make my own food. I do get time being an issue. That is why I tend to meal prep on Sundays. Like others said they tend to be high in sodium.

earlnabby

They are OK, but can be fairly high in sodium and I find them a little unsatisfying. Convenience foods are wonderful on occasion, but most do better making your own lunches. Do you have a crock pot? Back when I was still working, I would make dishes, especially stews and casseroles, in the crock pot and portion them out into single servings and freeze them. I could then take one out for lunch, which could then be heated up.

Eire228

Agreed. Like the others said, they can be quite high in sodium, and of course fresh food is preferable to frozen meals, but you have to start somewhere! If this is what works for you now, then go for it.

I think people get concerned about how healthy they are because of the chemical preservatives that are used to keep the food fresh, even while frozen. Personally, I don't eat them for that reason. But there are a million and one things like that to be concerned about, and it's impossible to keep track of them all! We constantly hear about things that might be bad for you, but if we stayed away from everything that could potentially harm us, we'd all have to rely on growing our own fruits and veggies and only eating those, haha So I'm a fan of eliminating what bad you can, and just focusing on what's best for you right now. If that's how you can get to your healthy goal weight, then keep on doing what you're doing!

HeyitsTay92

I keep a handful of them in my freezer at all times in case I'm in a bind. As long as they fit my macros it's all good!

NoelFigart1

Are they pure organic, ingredients picked by virgin elves by the light of a full moon, and meat only slaughtered with a silver knife forged in applewood and sage fire?

No.

(While I really do prefer to cook from scratch from whole, fresh ingredients, some things can be taken too far)

muah3iluvzu06

HeyitsTay92 wrote: »

I keep a handful of them in my freezer at all times in case I'm in a bind. As long as they fit my macros it's all good!

+1

ana3067

They ARE terrible, because they taste like crap and are way too carb- and sodium-heavy for me to bother eating them. They are also usually high in calorie count, at least the GF ones! So not worth it for so few positives.

Subjective. Eat them if you like them and it helps you meet your goals.

530roman

The answer is no. Whether the sodium is high or not, as long as you don't have any health concerns dealing with sodium, keep eating them as long as you can make them fit your calorie allowance and macros. My day is filled with sodium, but it's also filled with plenty of water. Enjoy your meal-in-a-box and don't worry about what the countless amount of people tell you.

MNSchulz88

LOL I prefer to cook too but with two children under two and working full time these are my go-to meals for lunch.

NoelFigart1 wrote: »

Are they pure organic, ingredients picked by virgin elves by the light of a full moon, and meat only slaughtered with a silver knife forged in applewood and sage fire?

No.

(While I really do prefer to cook from scratch from whole, fresh ingredients, some things can be taken too far)

successgal1

I lived off them, the lean gourmets, for a long time. Having them at work kept me away from the even worse, fast food. In that respect they are the healthier option. You can find organic, no meat, etc ones if you go hunt them down. Now I make the time to prepare my own frozen lunches, and make 20 at a time.

MNSchulz88

Thanks!

530roman wrote: »

The answer is no. Whether the sodium is high or not, as long as you don't have any health concerns dealing with sodium, keep eating them as long as you can make them fit your calorie allowance and macros. My day is filled with sodium, but it's also filled with plenty of water. Enjoy your meal-in-a-box and don't worry about what the countless amount of people tell you.

SnuggleSmacks

They're high in sodium, but are otherwise fine. If you have no health issues which make sodium a problem, then enjoy your freezer meals.

jasonmh630

MNSchulz88 wrote: »

No one really says why.....everyone just says "don't eat those...they are so bad for you" I agree they can be high in sodium but I only eat 1 per day for lunch and watch my sodium intake otherwise....

BarbieAS wrote: »

Terrible based on what? Which aspect of the meals is being identified as terrible?

If they fit your calorie and macro goals, and you don't have health issues that require you to watch your sodium (they do tend to be high in sodium, I'll definitely admit that), then what about them might sabotage your eating plan?

Then, you'll be fine. Other than the high sodium, they can be worked into a healthy diet just like any other food as long as it fits your calorie goal.

gzus7freek

I love them because for me logging Homemade items can be very tedious. I buy lots of frozen meals and that way I can just scan and log!!! The same thing with canned soup! Heat and eat!!

Also just drink lots of water if you are worried about the sodium!

mrsmalloryevers

Thanks for posting this! I've wondered the same thing too. Yeah they're high in sodium but a lot of the foods we eat nowadays are high in sodium. I love those lean cuisines and I would eat them more often if they weren't so darn expensive!!

JLFIT247

Frozen meals are ok in the sense that you can find some that fit into your calories goals for the day, but it's very important to watch the sodium intake with these. If you are going to eat them, stick to one MAX per day. It's always important to get in fresh fruit and vegetables as well for a balanced diet.

MNSchulz88

YEs, the Healthy Choice Steamers are actually really good and have a lot of flavor. The sodium on the one I brought today is only 480mg, which for an entire meal is not that bad.....

mrsmalloryevers wrote: »

Thanks for posting this! I've wondered the same thing too. Yeah they're high in sodium but a lot of the foods we eat nowadays are high in sodium. I love those lean cuisines and I would eat them more often if they weren't so darn expensive!!

mrsmalloryevers

MNSchulz88 wrote: »

YEs, the Healthy Choice Steamers are actually really good and have a lot of flavor. The sodium on the one I brought today is only 480mg, which for an entire meal is not that bad.....

I will have to try those!!

MNSchulz88

I do try to jazz them up w/ more fresh veggies and meat

Eire228

NoelFigart1 wrote: »

Are they pure organic, ingredients picked by virgin elves by the light of a full moon, and meat only slaughtered with a silver knife forged in applewood and sage fire?

No.

Bahahaha perfect.

LAWoman72

"Healthy" frozen meals often taste terrible to me and seem to always be tiny portions. I can get a much larger meal for the same calories if I make it myself. However, if I were in a pinch and somehow had access to a frozen meal, I am sure I would eat it, why not? It's still food.

kramrn77

I use frozen meals all the time at work though I am shifting away due to boredom mostly. I tend to buy Evol brand and Central Market brand because I can pronounce all their ingregients, tend to have more veggies and lower sodium then Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice, plus I have celiac and it's hard to find good tasting gluten free frozen meals.

ArkMom35

Frozen meals are a staple for me right now. I need the ease and low-calorie options. I have noticed they're ridiculously high in sodium though. I'm losing weight and plan on using them for a bit longer, but ultimately I'd like to learn how to prepare healthy low-calorie food myself.

earlnabby

MNSchulz88 wrote: »

YEs, the Healthy Choice Steamers are actually really good and have a lot of flavor. The sodium on the one I brought today is only 480mg, which for an entire meal is not that bad.....

mrsmalloryevers wrote: »

Thanks for posting this! I've wondered the same thing too. Yeah they're high in sodium but a lot of the foods we eat nowadays are high in sodium. I love those lean cuisines and I would eat them more often if they weren't so darn expensive!!

I sometimes buy them for the bowls. I keep one or two of the strainer trays for washing berries and things and love the bowls for microwaving my leftovers.