Lean Cuisine, Smart Ones etc.

annetaryn

Are these dishes THAT terrible for you? I realize sodium is probably pretty high on these meals but I'm eating atleast one a day and my sodium is still fine. I don't like cooking and these are so fast and easy and the calories are pretty low!

Thoughts?

Alyssa_Is_LosingIt

annetaryn wrote: »

Are these dishes THAT terrible for you? I realize sodium is probably pretty high on these meals but I'm eating atleast one a day and my sodium is still fine. I don't like cooking and these are so fast and easy and the calories are pretty low!

Thoughts?

For me, they are a little low on protein most of the time, but I do eat them when I am pressed for time or just being lazy. I'll usually steam some broccoli or sugar snap peas or something for a bit more volume.

The sodium will not harm you barring a medical condition that requires you to monitor your intake. There is nothing wrong with eating these meals in moderation as part of an otherwise healthy diet if you enjoy them.

shetripsalot

You're right...they are fast & easy. I lived on them for 2 years, but then realized how much better I felt not eating them.

TeaBea

Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »

annetaryn wrote: »

Are these dishes THAT terrible for you? I realize sodium is probably pretty high on these meals but I'm eating atleast one a day and my sodium is still fine. I don't like cooking and these are so fast and easy and the calories are pretty low!

Thoughts?

For me, they are a little low on protein most of the time, but I do eat them when I am pressed for time or just being lazy. I'll usually steam some broccoli or sugar snap peas or something for a bit more volume.

The sodium will not harm you barring a medical condition that requires you to monitor your intake. There is nothing wrong with eating these meals in moderation as part of an otherwise healthy diet if you enjoy them.

This^

I eat them from time to time. Have a couple in the freezer for emergencies. Definitely bulk them up with veggies (or a side salad). I think you'll eventually tire of them.....so learning to tolerate cooking is going to be important for maintenance (lifestyle changes). Maybe "batch" cook one day a week, or look for really simple things.

malibu927

I've started eating them at work (at a grocery store) when I get a lunch break during the week. I buy a Smart Ones Pasta with Spinach and Ricotta, then add some shredded chicken from the deli in, and some fruit or veggies on the side. Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice, though, taste like cardboard to me.

Gska17

I keep them in my freezer and eat them occasionally for dinner.

7lenny7

I eat those types of meals at least 3 days a week for lunch at work. The Lean Cuisine Spaghetti with Meat Sauce I had today only had 520mg of sodium, so that's not too bad. I can pronounce everything in the ingredient list, so it can't be too bad.

Debmal77

I eat them also. Having a Smart Ones Thin Crust Pizza right now. Totally agree with having a fresh veggie or small salad on the side too.

cwolfman13

I find them unsatisfying and also I don't think they taste very good. I'm also kind of a whole food/minimally processed foods snob.

shetripsalot

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I find them unsatisfying and also I don't think they taste very good. I'm also kind of a whole food/minimally processed foods snob.

Me, too! Not many people understand the concept. Can we be friends?

whmscll

These have never filled me up. If you don't cook they are better than a lot of other stuff you could be eating, but really, how much effort does it take to throw a chicken breast on a George Foreman grill for 15 minutes?

Ninkyou

I think they're fine occasionally... but I can make better tasting stuff with better macros for about the same calories. Also tends to be more food than what's in those little trays.

Ohwhynot

No, they're not that terrible. If you can fit them into your calories/macros/sodium, then why not?

Timorous_Beastie

I could make something similar for either less calories or more nutrition in about the same amount of time and for less money. It doesn't take long to stir fry some frozen veggies with shrimp, fish or chicken in some kind of sauce or marinade.

ManiacalLaugh

annetaryn wrote: »

Are these dishes THAT terrible for you? I realize sodium is probably pretty high on these meals but I'm eating atleast one a day and my sodium is still fine. I don't like cooking and these are so fast and easy and the calories are pretty low!

Thoughts?

*Sigh* Going against the grain again... But I want to fit in. ;_;

I've lost a substantial amount of weight eating Lean Cuisines for lunch just about every day (I cook for breakfast and dinner). And yes, I even like them, but they're going to vary as much as your individual tastes.

You do need to watch your sodium a little, that's for sure, but I can typically stay below my limit unless I eat soup or something else exceptionally salty for dinner. Of course, the other down side is the expense.

They are very easy (my primary reason for buying them). They also have the advantage of having their calorie count right on the box. Personally, I'm pretty full after eating one too.

So - there are pros and cons. If your goal is to lose, they'll get you there. If you're a "clean eater," then of course you're not going to like them because they're processed. You could always try them for a couple of days and see if you like them.

punkrockgoth

If it fits into your goals and you like them, then whatevs. I don't really like them and I don't tend to feel full on them. I have, however been in many a work situation where it was the lesser of all the evils.

jcook0716

I like them as a fast lunch or dinner after the gym if its too late. If its lunch i add a side salad Usually or for dinner i add sauted zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli or whatever sounds good to bulk them up

Hypsibius

They're definitely not for me, but I'm also in the clean eating camp and live by it.

Also, having to eat that junk would make me feel like I'm on a portioned diet. And that is neither fun nor sustainable...

cmoorofum

I ate them everyday for lunch for about 2 months and lost alot of weight!

ManiacalLaugh

Hypsibius wrote: »

They're definitely not for me, but I'm also in the clean eating camp and live by it.

Also, having to eat that junk would make me feel like I'm on a portioned diet. And that is neither fun nor sustainable...

Funny because I've lost 85lbs and have kept it off for 3 years eating "that junk" - and I'm still losing. Also, Chili Lime Chicken = yum.

lemurcat12

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I find them unsatisfying and also I don't think they taste very good. I'm also kind of a whole food/minimally processed foods snob.

This is how I feel, but I doubt there's anything bad about them if you find them satisfying (although I just don't). I also enjoy cooking and find it relaxing. If using frozen meals made things easier for me, however, I totally would. My snobbery/preferences that make things easier for me are totally a personal thing and not some requirement for weight loss or good health.

Steff46

I keep Lean Cuisine Pizzas in my freezer. I spice them up with some Rotel and eat them for a quick meal when I'm running late. I like them!

ashleypetrie4

Hypsibius wrote: »

They're definitely not for me, but I'm also in the clean eating camp and live by it.

Also, having to eat that junk would make me feel like I'm on a portioned diet. And that is neither fun nor sustainable...

Exactly how I feel about these.

I basically grew up on these things because my mom wasn't much of a cook and was always going on and off Weight Watchers. I despise them now. I'd much rather cook something that I know exactly what is in it and I can control. I treat these as if they were fast food and don't eat them. If anything, I'll eat Amy's Kitchen light meals like maybe twice a year in a pinch.

Plus, my body just feels so much better eating clean, homemade food.

Just_Ceci

I eat a Michelina's of some sort almost every work day. They cost $1 or less. There are varieties that I like and others that I don't. I have lost 65 lbs and kept it off over a year eating this way. It is a personal choice. It might not be the healthiest choice, but it works for me!

whirlygig60

If you like them, eat them. Do what works for you.

I don't eat them because they don't fill me up. Sometimes I'll take a package of Steamfresh vegetables to work though with a can of chicken or tuna. Similar price and seems to work a little better.

ASKyle

Unless you have a medical condition you don't need to worry about sodium.

I normally prepare all my foods myself but sometimes I am lazy... Lean Cuisine to the rescue! Better than me going to a fast food drive through. Can't resist fries.

Kalikel

Aside from the large amount of sodium and how you have to balance that, they taste like salt. I used to eat lots of those things. They're easy to take to work and don't require bringing home a container. Then I reduced my sodium to the amount the doctor advised, so they were out. When I had one long after, it just tasted like salt. Even slightly "burned" my lips the way McDonald's fries do.

There are things in some of those that our bodies don't need and more calories than are really necessary for such a small amount of food.

If you don't care about eating processed foods, don't care about sodium and find them tasty, then there is no reason to avoid them.

But I bet you could make the same dang thing! It would be cheaper, healthier and taste Oh, so much better. If you wanted to try that.

whmscll

ASKyle wrote: »

Unless you have a medical condition you don't need to worry about sodium.

I normally prepare all my foods myself but sometimes I am lazy... Lean Cuisine to the rescue! Better than me going to a fast food drive through. Can't resist fries.

Except that a lot of sodium will cause you to retain water, aka water weight.

Alyssa_Is_LosingIt

whmscll wrote: »

ASKyle wrote: »

Unless you have a medical condition you don't need to worry about sodium.

I normally prepare all my foods myself but sometimes I am lazy... Lean Cuisine to the rescue! Better than me going to a fast food drive through. Can't resist fries.

Except that a lot of sodium will cause you to retain water, aka water weight.

Some of us don't really mind, as weight fluctuates daily anyway. The water weight from sodium retention isn't usually more than a couple of pounds, and as long as the scale goes down pretty consistently, a little water doesn't bother me.

PaulaWallaDingDong

Am I the only one who LOVES Lean Cuisine? Not all of them, but overall, I think they're awesome.

Camo_xxx

If you can stand the taste then eat them and count the calories.