Tesco finest foods

RoyBeck
RoyBeck Posts: 947 Member
I'm talking things like their paella, Malaysian chicken curry etc...

Fairly low in calories especially the curry and its their finest range but are these things classed as processed? I suppose they are?

Also, the sodium in the paella is 650mg and the curry is 950mg (See my diary if you prefer)

Are these ok for weight loss as a meal?

Replies

  • RoyBeck
    RoyBeck Posts: 947 Member
    Bump? Anyone eat them at all??
  • RoyBeck
    RoyBeck Posts: 947 Member
    No takers??
  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    Pretty much all food we buy is processed to some degree.

    As long as you're hitting your calorie goal there's nothing wrong with eating these meals while you lose. Maybe add in some steamed veg on the side to boost your micronutrients and make a bigger meal that should keep you fuller longer.
  • alliemarie77
    alliemarie77 Posts: 378 Member
    I'm no dietitian, and I don't care what people eat, or how they choose to lose their weight.
    The just of it is it seems that as long as you stay under your Marcos you should lose weight.
    I by the way... LOVE curry chicken!
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    Never heard of this brand...where do you buy it? Sounds deeeelish.
  • phatguerilla
    phatguerilla Posts: 188 Member
    Not really sure why it would matter but if you are concerned about how processed a meal is look at the amount of added preservatives and chemicals listed, then look at how many would be in the meal if you made it yourself. Also the longer the use by date the more preservatives are in it (generally). These two things will give you an indication of the level of processing.
  • LittleMissDover
    LittleMissDover Posts: 820 Member
    I eat the odd one if I fancy something a bit more 'luxurious'.

    Their Eat, Live, Enjoy range is good too and much cheaper (usually 3 for £6).
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    Definitely processed; they're ready meals, mass produced in a factory. I've not tried them, but if you check the ingredients, they're probably "better" (depending on your views) than, say, the Tesco Value equivalent. They tend to put more expensive ingredients in the Finest range; the value products tend to have more artificial ingredients to keep cost down.

    Anyway, eating processed foods won't stop you losing weight, so if you like them, and they fit your goals/preferences/taste/budget, then go for it.
  • RoyBeck
    RoyBeck Posts: 947 Member
    Ok thanks. The curry contains 375 calories and is enough to fill me up at lunch or dinner time but I was just a bit worried by the 900mg of sodium.
  • ghsfitnesspal
    ghsfitnesspal Posts: 260 Member
    Hi Roy, I know they say that it's all 'ingredients from your cupboard' but I would say it's processed as it's been through a factory... bit ambiguous I know! I cant see anything 'fake' added to the meal, but it seems odd to consider something unprocessed when you're taking it out of the plastic container :) As you say, there is a lot of salt and sugar added which I wouldn't use if I were making a chilli or something.
  • LittleMissDover
    LittleMissDover Posts: 820 Member
    Ok thanks. The curry contains 375 calories and is enough to fill me up at lunch or dinner time but I was just a bit worried by the 900mg of sodium.

    Unless you have medical issues don't worry too much about sodium, it may have a temporary water retention effect but that's it.
  • phatguerilla
    phatguerilla Posts: 188 Member
    Hi Roy, I know they say that it's all 'ingredients from your cupboard' but I would say it's processed as it's been through a factory... bit ambiguous I know!

    Everything that's in your cupboard has been processed through a factory though.
  • farway
    farway Posts: 1,264 Member
    Ok thanks. The curry contains 375 calories and is enough to fill me up at lunch or dinner time but I was just a bit worried by the 900mg of sodium.

    Unless you have medical issues don't worry too much about sodium, it may have a temporary water retention effect but that's it.

    ^^^^^^^ This. I totally agree
  • RoyBeck
    RoyBeck Posts: 947 Member
    No medical condition. 2500mg of sodium is MFP target is this reasonable? Sodiums basically salt yes?
  • RoyBeck
    RoyBeck Posts: 947 Member
    And plenty of water will flush out the sodium yes?
  • ghsfitnesspal
    ghsfitnesspal Posts: 260 Member
    Hi Roy, I know they say that it's all 'ingredients from your cupboard' but I would say it's processed as it's been through a factory... bit ambiguous I know!

    Everything that's in your cupboard has been processed through a factory though.

    yeah I know...that's why I said it's a bit ambiguous! Their finest food is much nicer than the other ready meals though