How do you guys feel about low calorie frozen meals?

ready2lose2101

I have a hectic schedule and sometimes eat Healthy Choice meals for dinner to make sure I don't go over my allotted calories for the day. They taste pretty good and are relatively low in sodium. How do you guys feel about incorporating frozen low calorie meals into your weight loss regimen?

ceiswyn

Y'know, the world would be a much better place if society would stop telling us that 'processed' is a bad word and if we don't home cook all our own meals from scratch we are terrible people.

How do I feel about low-calorie, tasty, no-effort meals? I feel pretty good.

paperpudding

I feel fine about them

I have a few I like and sometimes that is my dinner, or part of my dinner, when I am home alone, eg my husband is on night shift.

Like all foods, if you like them and they fit into your goals - fine.

If you don't like them and prefer not to eat them - also fine

amandarawr06

ceiswyn wrote: »

Y'know, the world would be a much better place if society would stop telling us that 'processed' is a bad word and if we don't home cook all our own meals from scratch we are terrible people.

How do I feel about low-calorie, tasty, no-effort meals? I feel pretty good.

I agree with this. Although I don't often eat frozen meals, they do come in handy when needed. As long as it fits into your calories and its not your main source of food everyday, then it works

NadNight

I love them! I have a few favourites and whilst some don’t have a patch on homemade cooking (shepherds pies, lasagnes), things like pasta and curries are usually pretty tasty. For some dishes I think they’re more cost effective too if something has a lot of ingredients you wouldn’t normally have.

Sometimes I go half and half- adding more veggies to ready meals.

They make keeping track of calories and nutrients easy and like you say they’re so much easier when you’re tired and have had a long day. I eat them regularly, there seems to be such a big thing about fresh whole foods but tinned and frozen foods can be nutritious too. Like with most things, I think balance is key.

DaddieCat

Low on effort, high on convenience, low on taste, high on sodium.

Nothing wrong with eating anything as long as it fits in your calorie goals and is... you know... actually made of food. Presumably, since it's a meal, it's made of food.... therefore GRAS.

_BlahBlah_BlackSheep_

I do meal prep once a month and make 25-30 meals to freeze. It gives me variety, convenience, and full knowledge of exactly what I'm putting in my body. It's worth the couple of hours I spend cooking every few weeks.

DaddieCat

_BlahBlah_BlackSheep_ wrote: »

I do meal prep once a month and make 25-30 meals to freeze. It gives me variety, convenience, and full knowledge of exactly what I'm putting in my body. It's worth the couple of hours I spend cooking every few weeks.

This is fairly the point we were trying to make. This is side shaming someone for not being able to meal prep food and eating "processed" food.

Food is food, and while it might not be up to your personal standards, there's no logical or helpful reason to shaming and spreading misinformation.

Also, don't assume that everyone has a few extra hours to prep that many meals at once, the capability of doing so, or even a lifestyle and finances that allow it.

COGypsy

Almost all of my "home cooking" comes from the freezer section in one form or another. I usually assemble my own meals from bags of frozen meat and veg with some kind of condiment or sauce, but I like the meals as well--especially to throw in my bag for lunches. I've maintained a 60 pound weight loss for about 3 years now eating this way and haven't died yet!

jennarandhayes

I always keep some on hand. It prevents me from eating out (a much higher calorie meal) when I haven’t had the time to cook. When you’re hangry they’re a life saver!

cayenne_007

I don't think they're unhealthy - but I won't eat them either because I just don't like them.

lgfrie

I'm a huge fan of complete packaged meals that are already measured out - no miscounting or misweighing, no seconds, you just choose meals that slot into the available calories for the day. I've been using a meal delivery service to get fresh calorie controlled meals in tubs on my doorstep, but I occasionally supplement that with frozen meals.

There's just no improving, when dieting, on "Here's a box of chicken Parmesan, 540 calories". You search for it on MFP, it's probably there, bang it into the diary, done.


Gotta watch the trans fat and sodium, though. Some frozen foods are moderately healthy, but some are truly a glop-fest of trans fats and sodium. Reading the labels is required.

WinoGelato

I use them fairly often for meals at work when I don’t have leftovers from a previous dinner. I often buy a bag of precooked chicken strips and keep some single serving frozen veggies on hand and sometimes add those to the Healthy Choice or Lean Cuisine meals for extra bulk.

Pre portioned, usually have veggies, I don’t have a concern about sodium. I think they can be a great component of a calorie appropriate and nutrient dense diet.

Joanna2012B

BecomingBane wrote: »

_BlahBlah_BlackSheep_ wrote: »

I do meal prep once a month and make 25-30 meals to freeze. It gives me variety, convenience, and full knowledge of exactly what I'm putting in my body. It's worth the couple of hours I spend cooking every few weeks.

This is fairly the point we were trying to make. This is side shaming someone for not being able to meal prep food and eating "processed" food.

Food is food, and while it might not be up to your personal standards, there's no logical or helpful reason to shaming and spreading misinformation.

Also, don't assume that everyone has a few extra hours to prep that many meals at once, the capability of doing so, or even a lifestyle and finances that allow it.

Interesting! I didn't see her as side shaming anyone, nor is she spreading misinformation. She was simply giving another option. I food prep as well and find it cheaper to food prep than to buy pre-packaged meals.

To the OP if you fit it in to your calories, macros and you enjoy them, there is nothing wrong with them.

To each their own!

tinkerbellang83

I'd personally feel pretty sad, cos I don't get half as much satiety from ready meals as I do when I cook something myself but they are handy occasionally when convenience is needed.

If it helps you keep to your calories and it's filling, who cares what we think! It's what works for you that matters.

DaddieCat

Joanna2012B wrote: »

BecomingBane wrote: »

_BlahBlah_BlackSheep_ wrote: »

I do meal prep once a month and make 25-30 meals to freeze. It gives me variety, convenience, and full knowledge of exactly what I'm putting in my body. It's worth the couple of hours I spend cooking every few weeks.

This is fairly the point we were trying to make. This is side shaming someone for not being able to meal prep food and eating "processed" food.

Food is food, and while it might not be up to your personal standards, there's no logical or helpful reason to shaming and spreading misinformation.

Also, don't assume that everyone has a few extra hours to prep that many meals at once, the capability of doing so, or even a lifestyle and finances that allow it.

Interesting! I didn't see her as side shaming anyone, nor is she spreading misinformation. She was simply giving another option. I food prep as well and find it cheaper to food prep than to buy pre-packaged meals.

To the OP if you fit it in to your calories, macros and you enjoy them, there is nothing wrong with them.

To each their own!

I disagree.

Saying that "I know exactly what goes into my body" implies there is something in a frozen meal that is dubious. This is distinctly not the case. Food is food, whether it's processed or not and implying otherwise does a disservice to many individuals that can't afford to or don't have a lifestyle that supports eating only fresh food.

kimny72

I have 4 or 5 (mostly Lean Cuisine's and Stouffers) that I like and will bring to work for lunch. Some weeks it's all 5 days, some weeks it's just 1 or 2. I don't see anything wrong with them. In fact a lot of the typical shade thrown at them is outdated. You can find several "flavors" that aren't all that high in sodium nowadays, and they've improved the ingredients a lot. I look for ones with a reasonable amount of protein, or bring a tuna packet or HB egg to eat on the side, and then I mix it with a serving of frozen veggies.

When some of the more expensive ones go on sale, like Amy's or EVOL, I'll stock up on a couple of them too. The Amy's Pesto Tortellini, mixed with frozen broccoli or peas, is my fave, but typically too expensive to be an every week lunch

Beka3695

IIFYM... or calories!

I have no problem with them. Somedays, despite all efforts, I just cant get it together to cook a 'real meal.' I keep several frozen meals on hand just in case.

Even when I food prep, sometimes I will start with a frozen meal. I love the Tuscan Chicken sheet pan meal from Walmart. It is brussel sprouts, potatoes and chicken in a lemon sauce. I will add broccoli to bulk up the veggies. This is a delicious, bulky lunch for under 400 calories.

Healthy as fresh, probably not...
Keeps my sanity - ABSOLUTELY!

Joanna2012B

BecomingBane wrote: »

Joanna2012B wrote: »

BecomingBane wrote: »

_BlahBlah_BlackSheep_ wrote: »

I do meal prep once a month and make 25-30 meals to freeze. It gives me variety, convenience, and full knowledge of exactly what I'm putting in my body. It's worth the couple of hours I spend cooking every few weeks.

This is fairly the point we were trying to make. This is side shaming someone for not being able to meal prep food and eating "processed" food.

Food is food, and while it might not be up to your personal standards, there's no logical or helpful reason to shaming and spreading misinformation.

Also, don't assume that everyone has a few extra hours to prep that many meals at once, the capability of doing so, or even a lifestyle and finances that allow it.

Interesting! I didn't see her as side shaming anyone, nor is she spreading misinformation. She was simply giving another option. I food prep as well and find it cheaper to food prep than to buy pre-packaged meals.

To the OP if you fit it in to your calories, macros and you enjoy them, there is nothing wrong with them.

To each their own!

I disagree.

Saying that "I know exactly what goes into my body" implies there is something in a frozen meal that is dubious. This is distinctly not the case. Food is food, whether it's processed or not and implying otherwise does a disservice to many individuals that can't afford to or don't have a lifestyle that supports eating only fresh food.

Like I said....To each their own!

snickerscharlie

BecomingBane wrote: »

_BlahBlah_BlackSheep_ wrote: »

I do meal prep once a month and make 25-30 meals to freeze. It gives me variety, convenience, and full knowledge of exactly what I'm putting in my body. It's worth the couple of hours I spend cooking every few weeks.

This is fairly the point we were trying to make. This is side shaming someone for not being able to meal prep food and eating "processed" food.

Food is food, and while it might not be up to your personal standards, there's no logical or helpful reason to shaming and spreading misinformation.

Also, don't assume that everyone has a few extra hours to prep that many meals at once, the capability of doing so, or even a lifestyle and finances that allow it.

As well, having the ability to actually freeze 25 - 30 meals at once might be problematic for most.

I keep a few Healthy Choice meals around for the nights where I'm on my own for dinner, want something calorically and nutritionally decent and don't feel like cooking just for me.

_BlahBlah_BlackSheep_

BecomingBane wrote: »

_BlahBlah_BlackSheep_ wrote: »

I do meal prep once a month and make 25-30 meals to freeze. It gives me variety, convenience, and full knowledge of exactly what I'm putting in my body. It's worth the couple of hours I spend cooking every few weeks.

This is fairly the point we were trying to make. This is side shaming someone for not being able to meal prep food and eating "processed" food.

Food is food, and while it might not be up to your personal standards, there's no logical or helpful reason to shaming and spreading misinformation.

Also, don't assume that everyone has a few extra hours to prep that many meals at once, the capability of doing so, or even a lifestyle and finances that allow it.

Not shaming or intending to spread misinformation. Simply sharing an option that has worked well for me. Some people appreciate hearing ideas for things they didn't think of that may work for them.