Boxed/Packaged Meals (Good or Bad?)

trejon

What do you think about boxed meals that you just heat and eat? I like them - the amount of sodium is the only thing that bothers me. However they seem too good to be true, are they? My favorite is Lean Cuisine Three Cheese Ziti - what is yours? PS I hate the NutriSystem meals did anyone like those?

Xannthippe

I used to eat them for lunch everyday as well (lean cuisines, smart ones etc), solely because of the low calories and they didn't taste too bad. But, like you, one day i looked at the sodium and was somewhat disgusted. My solution is that now I keep them for days that maybe i forgot my lunch or didn't have time to prepare one. I try not to eat more than two a week. My favorite is the Chicken Suiza Enchilada!

smuehlbauer

I can't stand them personally. I'm not a big fan of a lot of processed foods.
The sodium is way high in them.
I'm lucky that I have time to and enjoy cooking. Then I just take left overs with me to work the next day for lunch!
But if you like them, there's nothing wrong with them. :happy:

smuehlbauer

Oh, and I use to eat the Healthy Choice Merlot Beef Steamer one, very yummy!

Holton

The only time I use them is when I have a rushed need which is not that often, but I do keep 2 Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers in my freezer for such purposes.

maddox22

I used to eat them, and then realized that with how much they cost I could make two or three times as much real food at home, freeze it, and still have a "frozen meal" to eat at work. And then I know what's in them (and what's not in them).

I don't think they're the worst thing in the world--certainly better than fast food. But I think they're overrated in general, especially the ones directed at people trying to lose weight. They want you to think the only way you can have a 300 calorie, filling meal is by buying their product--but the big secret they don't want you know is that it's cheaper and healthier to make your own--and not really any more difficult or time-consuming.

I view them now in the same way I view ice cream, cookies, or french fries--as a treat that I might enjoy once in a while, but not something I eat frequently.

But, like I said, they're not horrible. If it works for you, then go for it.

OctoberBabe

Yea I too try and stay away from processed foods because of the sodium. I have to watch my sodium intake because I'm very likely to retain fluid if I don't. Everyone is different when it comes to sodium intake so do what you feel is best for you. I alway like the Lean Cuisines the best when I did eat them.

KaeChelle

A lot of people on here are against eating these kinds of foods, but honestly, the way I see it is they are much better choices than what I used to eat, which was fast (greasy) food every day of the week. I work 4 days a week, and I usually only eat these kinds of meals for lunch at work because they are quick and easy, and as I said, healthier than other alternatives that are near my workplace. My new favorite frozen meal is Marie Callender's Asian Recipes Chicken Teriyaki.

00trayn

I'm kind of lazy, so I'll have one for dinner as much as a few times a week. I LOVE the Safeway Eating Right brand, it's not terrible on sodium and they taste a lot better than Healthy Choice. My favorite is Butternut Squash Ravioli. It's DELICIOUS. I'm ok with eating one on occasion, I balance the sodium out by eating less at lunch.

metco89

MIchaelina's light gourmet frozen entrees are great, they are as good as the more expensive brands, they are on sale here all the time for usually a dollar for one. The pizza is really good, satisfies my craving for pizza and saves me money!!!! :flowerforyou:

ArmyWife815

I like using them. They help me with portion control. Some taste better than others. The one I just ate for lunch will not be repurchased. It was Healthy Choice Chicken Pad Thai. Weight Watchers Spaghetti and Lean Cuisine Lasagna are two of my favorites. They are very convenient at work for lunch. I usually prepare vegetables to go along with them. I purchase Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice Steamers, and Weight Watcher meals. Once a co-worker gave me some Nutri System Meals that her daughter did not use. I did not like the selections I was given. Can't speak for the Nutri System Program as a whole. I just started my journey Saturday and said I wouldn't weigh until 6/19. Couldn't resist the scale this am... I have lost 4 pounds!! I will continue to use them on the days I work and cook on my days off. (I work 12 hour shifts)

tamalea

I eat one almost every day. I love the healthy choice steamers, however my fav is Lean Michelina's meatloaf. It may not be the best tasting one, but it feels me up for only 180 calories. I do track my sodium along with my calories, fat etc, so I can see if I am taking in too much. They may not be the healthiest, but the ease of these keeps me out to Mcdonalds drive thru. I spend my lunch time at Curves, then eat microwave meals at my desk.

July24Lioness

I am one to say Step Away from the processed foods. They are not good for you no matter how much the name if it says "healthy" or "smart"

nehtaeh

I eat them. I also get the lean pockets.

Sure, they are processed and have more sodium than need be really.

My alternative is usually fast food.

I've love to know how they are not more time consuming than cooking them yourself. Uh, I'm pretty sure buying and popping a frozen meal in the microwave is way less time consuming than cooking an entire meal, including figuring it out, buying the ingredients, preparing, clean up, and portioning for the next days lunch. Yeah, that is so not true.

I'd love to get to the day I can make all my meals, but right now that is just not gonna happen often.

The chicken enchilada suiza is my fave as well.

smuehlbauer

I think the time consuming was meant as when you're cooking dinner already, to package up some and freeze to take to work with you.
Heehee.

jrich1

I eat them for lunch out of convenience, and I drink a lot of water so sodium is as much of a concern

PixieGoddess

I used to keep some around when I worked retail, just for when I didn't have leftovers handy. Now that I have actual LUNCH BREAKS, I can go out, find something good, sit down and enjoy my meal, and I often find that they cost about the same as the microwavable junk.

I do, however, still keep breakfast Lean Pockets and Jimmy Dean frozen stuff in the freezer, for busy mornings.

miqisha

I use to eat them alot.....Healthy Choice was my favorite, it was also the cheapest at the time......When I used it, I lost alot of weight, they are low in calories and very filling to me....and I ate fruits etc in between....but that was years go. I havent eaten them in a while....back when I use to eat them, I didnt worry about sodium content, so I wasnt aware of how the sodium was.

cdavis1126

So I guess everyone on here who voted for 'yes" missed the segment on the Today Show this morning? They actually took some of these frozen meals to an independent lab which found huge errors in the calories and fat that is advertised. When questioned about this, the company spokesperson said, it's an average and the FDA doesn't require us to be accurate.

So if you want to eat one of those frozen meals, go right ahead but buyer beware!!! You won't catch any of them in my house, sodium is way too high anyway. I would rather make a quick meal out of stir fry veggies and a protein or take a rotisserie chicken apart and put 4 oz in a tortilla wrap with some tomato and hummus any day rather than eating those frozen boxes.

nehtaeh

So I guess everyone on here who voted for 'yes" missed the segment on the Today Show this morning? They actually took some of these frozen meals to an independent lab which found huge errors in the calories and fat that is advertised. When questioned about this, the company spokesperson said, it's an average and the FDA doesn't require us to be accurate.

So if you want to eat one of those frozen meals, go right ahead but buyer beware!!! You won't catch any of them in my house, sodium is way too high anyway. I would rather make a quick meal out of stir fry veggies and a protein or take a rotisserie chicken apart and put 4 oz in a tortilla wrap with some tomato and hummus any day rather than eating those frozen boxes.

Yep, missed it like usual as I'm at work. However, even if they are wrong, its still healthier than fast food, right?

I generally estimate the cals in the meals I make at home too so its not much different for me.

And, for me, sodium isn't much of an issue.

MissyMorganFit

XANNNTHIPPE........Am I reading this correctly? You have lost over 100lbs?! If so, how AWESOME are you!!! KEEP IT UP, girl!!!!

maddox22

Yeah, what I meant with the time consuming was that it doesn't take really any longer to make (for example) a giant pot of pasta sauce than to make a little pot of sauce, or to cook a pound of pasta than to cook one serving. It doesn't take any longer to heat up food you've frozen yourself than something you bought frozen. So if you eat a frozen meal for lunch every day but cook yourself dinner every night, it's not really any more time-consuming to just cook extra for dinner and save the money and sodium of the frozen meal. I guess if you're eating packaged meals for every meal, then yes, cooking takes a bit more time.

But for me the thing that made me drop them was the cost. Even Michaelina's at $1 a pop is more expensive than cooking from scratch, when you figure that that $1 buys you only one meal for Michaelina's, but $1 worth of pasta, rice, veg, etc. could make you two or three meals. I do understand that not everyone has time (or equipment or desire) to cook. And I do agree that they are better than McDonald's. I guess I just get frustrated when I see the advertising for them that implies that they're such a great deal, when really they're not.

When I did eat them more regularly, though, I liked the Lean Cuisine ones that have the whole grains in them--they were in a blue box. Can't remember the name of the line right now. They had a lemon chicken one that was pretty yummy.

nehtaeh

Sometimes I am able to do that, make a meal and take leftovers for lunch, but not all the time. Freezing is something I'd like to do, but never end up doing it. I don't really know why, but I don't. Time and ease of prep/cook/clean up is probably factored in there. Between work, my twin toddlers, working out, and cleaning - there isn't much left but sleep and even that has been lacking lately.

I would even rather get up in the morn and make a sandwich to take to work, but most days I run out of time. Then, I'm stuck with very few options.

I would love to cook and do this all the time...someday I will. For now, its just not happening.

aippolito1

I don't really care for them. My mom used to buy them when I lived at home 'cause they were cheap. I will say the Banquet chicken pot pies are divine. Yum. Love pot pies! Anyway... they never really filled me up so I usually don't reach for them. The only thing I'll buy occasionally just to stay away from the real thing are Michelina's Gourmet Pizza Roll Snacks. Taste similar to Totino's pizza rolls but not as high in calories or fat, not as big, and I can stop at 11 which is the serving size. So yummo!

July24Lioness

I think the time consuming was meant as when you're cooking dinner already, to package up some and freeze to take to work with you.
Heehee.

Exactly..................If you are cooking dinner already, making a little extra and package up to take to work is way less time consuming, much healthier and will taste 10000 times better than a chemical filled, frozen concoction.............

For me personally, I would rather go to burger King or Hardees and get a bunless burger or grilled chicken breast with a side salad than to eat a frozen meal.................

HealthyChanges2010

I don't really care for them. My mom used to buy them when I lived at home 'cause they were cheap. I will say the Banquet chicken pot pies are divine. Yum. Love pot pies! Anyway... they never really filled me up so I usually don't reach for them. The only thing I'll buy occasionally just to stay away from the real thing are Michelina's Gourmet Pizza Roll Snacks. Taste similar to Totino's pizza rolls but not as high in calories or fat, not as big, and I can stop at 11 which is the serving size. So yummo!

I actually found a pretty healthy potpie recipe more recently, just need to find it again. lol Let me know if you're interested, it's not Banquet but still Pot Pie

Becca:flowerforyou:

HealthyChanges2010

The times I've noticed I tend to pick one up is while grocery shopping to eat one after getting home. Trying hard not to buy extras but getting exausted from walking all over the store picking up what's on the list, I feel it's an occasional safety net. :laugh: If I don't have energy left after the checkout lane, carrying out the bags, dragging them up the stairs and unpacking them, after a long day, it's far safer for me to be able to pop one in the micro.

Rarely but it does happen once in awhile. Home cooking healthier? Sure, but better than me making bad decisions on low blood sugar when I get home ( even having had a snack before shopping). We ALL know how shopping can be when the store is crazy busy after work!:noway: It's simply exausting if you have to go at that time, even on occasion.:sad:

Another good reason for me to restock my freezer with homemade frozen leftovers!

Becca:flowerforyou:

PixieGoddess

I don't really care for them. My mom used to buy them when I lived at home 'cause they were cheap. I will say the Banquet chicken pot pies are divine. Yum. Love pot pies! Anyway... they never really filled me up so I usually don't reach for them. The only thing I'll buy occasionally just to stay away from the real thing are Michelina's Gourmet Pizza Roll Snacks. Taste similar to Totino's pizza rolls but not as high in calories or fat, not as big, and I can stop at 11 which is the serving size. So yummo!

Ooooh, thanks for the tip on the pizza rolls! I LOVED those Totino kill-your-calorie-day ones! I might look into Michelina's.

godblessourhome

I don't really care for them. My mom used to buy them when I lived at home 'cause they were cheap. I will say the Banquet chicken pot pies are divine. Yum. Love pot pies! Anyway... they never really filled me up so I usually don't reach for them. The only thing I'll buy occasionally just to stay away from the real thing are Michelina's Gourmet Pizza Roll Snacks. Taste similar to Totino's pizza rolls but not as high in calories or fat, not as big, and I can stop at 11 which is the serving size. So yummo!

I actually found a pretty healthy potpie recipe more recently, just need to find it again. lol Let me know if you're interested, it's not Banquet but still Pot Pie

Becca:flowerforyou:

chicken pot pie is so easy to make!!

2 pie crusts (refrigerated pre-packaged pillsbury or make your own)
2 cans veg-all,drained
1 can green beans, drained
1 can cream of chicken (fat-free or reduced fat works well too)
3/4 cup chopped chicken (or 1 can of chicken)
splash of milk

place pie crust in deep deep pie tin. add 1/2 can of chicken soup to bottom. add chicken (if you use the canned chicken, be sure to drain well). add 1 can veg-all and can of green beans. add splash of milk. add 1 can of veg-all and the rest of the cream of chicken soup. (you don't have to mix together, but you can if you want.) place pie crust over the top and seal. pierce center with fork a few times to vent.

350 in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour. crust will be flaky and lightly browned.

you can also add corn, mushrooms, additional potatoes, etc. but will need another can of cream of chicken soup.

mommared53

The first year I started using MFP, I was eating the frozen meals for lunch at work just about every day and lost 33 pounds. I kind of fell of the wagon on my weight loss though and gained some weight back. As long as I kept a good track of my sodium, I never went over.

LoveMy4Kids

I eat them quite often because I have a hard time doing my own portion control! I know they are high in sodium, but I just watch everything else i eat through out the day! I talked to the dr. about it and she said that if it is helping me lose weight then it out weights the cons of the sodium! I also always add vegetables with it as I find they never have enough!

A few of my favs. are
-Thai style chicken and rice noodle (smart ones, ww)
-chicken and cheese quesadilla (smart ones ww)
- Meat Loaf With Mashed Potatoes and Gravy (Michalinnas Signature)
-Chicken Tikka Masala (presidents choice blue menu)