Pros and cons of eating prepackaged foods

rcadogs

It's been brought to my attention that all I pretty much eat is prepackaged foods.

Pros: I like the convenience of them and microwaving them and eating them.

Cons: Even with products like Healthy Choice and Birds Eye and even if I reach my calorie deficit, I can't lose the weight! I lose a couple pounds and I gain them back within weeks! I guess because of all the sodium, fat and other stuff that's in them.

Should I give them up completely? If not, how often should I eat prepackaged foods?

whierd

Pros: Convenient

Cons: Generally higher in sodium and taste much worse than a homemade version.

MandyLion76

Hmm...I'm kinda weird when it comes to prepackaged food in terms of meals. The only prepackaged/premade meals I ever eat are things like maybe a lasagna or a frozen pizza. That's as close to quick convenience food as I will get. I don't even own a microwave, much to my husband's displeasure. The stuff just tastes horrible to me, the strange chemicals freak me out and the salt in premade meals is insanely high.
My opinion will always be to make meals and freeze them myself/yourself and package them in appropriate portions if you do in fact require quick and convenient cooked food.
If you like packaged food and really enjoy it then at least have some fresh veggies with it...I suppose that would be a decent compromise.

Lcmcks

I started doing the Beyond Diet a year or so ago and it taught me what all the pre-packaged foods do to your body. Once I gave them up (for the most part), I feel better...I try to stick to the rule that if you can't pronounce it, don't eat it! It's amazing the things you can find to eat that aren't processed...go organic wherever you can!

meeper123

pros: they are easy

Cons: the price the taste and they aren't as satisfying to me

Minnie2361

I avoid them , if you want to check them out you can run each item by its bran name through fooducate. I did that for a few of my items.
I disposed of a number of them
Just read the labels where it lists the ingredients. Lots of chemical additives. I take the time to homemake my food then freeze it in separate glass containers. I can defrost them and reheat in the microwave. They taste ever so much better and do not have all the additives.

neanderthin

Pros: chef in a box.
Cons: chef can't cook.

igotabulletproofheart

The food isn't the reason you can't lose weight. Check your calories and macros.

For me:
Pros: Easy, helps me reach my calorie/macro goal when I'm finding it difficult.

Cons: Some aren't so high in protein.
The one I have the most is ocean pie with baked beans. Strange combination but my focus is hitting my macros and calories so it's alright.

jetlag

Expensive!

Learn to cook for yourself.

Cal28

There was an article on the 99 Best Packaged Food in Aussie Womens Health Mag.

The US version seems to be online: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/best-foods

Pro: Convenience
Cons: Usually not so tasty or healthy

Warchortle

Honestly, pre-packaged foods are not as expensive as people make them out to be especially if you get them on sale. A lot of the nutritional isn't that bad at least if you exercise. I really don't care about sodium levels.

I think the major issue is with pre-packaged foods is there is tendency to not feel full. The cons for me is just more of a spacial thing. If you get a lot of single serves it takes a lot of freezer room and creates a lot of trash and refuse in the end.

The pro's are you: know exactly the macros you're consuming, convenient, generally balanced nutritional profile.

People automatically assume making things yourself is cheaper... this is not always true. It costs more to make a 7 layer dip than it is to buy it by volume.

CollieFit

Pros: chef in a box.
Cons: chef can't cook.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

LivingtheLeanDream

personally I don't buy them, haven't done for years cos they were never satisfying and they're expensive usually! its not hard to make a meal, eggs take a few mins...most other things 20! its not hard to wait that long to eat

pkw58

Pro: The convenience - knowing which prepackaged pre cooked food to eat if you are traveling so you can pick the least worse one to eat.
Cons: I need to eat like three of them at one meal to get my protein minimum each day generally speaking.

BlackPup

I keep some in my freezer for convenience. I often add some extra vegetables to them. Usually I cook up a family sized meal then put it in individual serves in the fridge or freezer. Then it's just as easy to have a home cooked meal.

CollieFit

A lot of the nutritional isn't that bad at least if you exercise.

The nutritional content doesn't get any better only because you might work off the calories afterwards? :huh:

Warchortle

A lot of the nutritional isn't that bad at least if you exercise.

The nutritional content doesn't get any better only because you might work off the calories afterwards? :huh:

Nutritional meaning things like sodium. People who sweat need the extra sodium. If you sit on your bum all day.. then not so much. This is true regardless of caloric intake.

kirkor

even if I reach my calorie deficit, I can't lose the weight! I lose a couple pounds and I gain them back within weeks! I guess because of all the sodium, fat and other stuff that's in them.

No, it's because you're not in the deficit you think you are.

NonnyMary

Hi - try the Steamfresh frozen veg.. the veg in there is absolutely delicious and low calories/good to fit MFP macros

I like to strive to eat less of certain types of fattening processed foods, however, i buy fresh veg and it sits there because i am too lazy or tired or busy to cook, so i have a lot of frozen vegetables because they are good and will last longer in my fridge. I think frozen veg like Steamfresh even fits what some people call 'clean foods" if you want to go that route.

you can get some canned stuff like canned beans and canned soup broth that is labeled "low sodium" or "no sodium" but the little bit of sodium in the low sodium tastes way better than no sodium which tastes like water. Canned tomatos - low sodium are delish for some reason.. and i HATE canned food except for a few things and im a picky eater.

i do watch my sodium intake to try for 1500 mg a day, and its doable. i tend to hold onto water weight if i eat too much sodium in a day.

0somuchbetter0

It's simple: they taste bad. Cook fresh and freeze in advance -- once you start eating good fresh food you'll never go back. I have black bean chili, vegetable soup, and turkey lasagna in my freezer right now, all made from scratch and all delicious.

MityMax96

Pros: Convenient

Cons: Generally higher in sodium and taste much worse than a homemade version.

This would be me.

I try to have my food brought from home...but some times I don't have it.
So like for todays lunch, I resorted to Perdue's Short Cuts Chicken and ate that...but you can taste the sodium/salt in the stuff....

pavrg

Cons:
-Tastes bad.
-Soggy texture
-You don't get the joy of cooking
-Loaded with preservatives and sodium
-Small calorie dense portions leave you hungry
-Expensive
-Excessive packaging creates more waste

Pros:
None.

marciebrian

Pros: chef in a box.
Cons: chef can't cook.

made me LOL but seriously just lose the packaged meals if you can. you don't have to go cold turkey just cut back and see how much better you feel... you'll likely choose to give them up other than in desperation. Good luck!

Francl27

Pros: chef in a box.
Cons: chef can't cook.

Love this!

My main issue with them is I'm just not full for the calories. I mean even for 290 calories I could have a 6oz grilled chicken breast and a ton of veggies... but instead you get maybe 3oz of meat, half a cup of veggies, and a bit of pasta or rice and it doesn't even taste good.

dorthymcconnel

Pros: Convenient

Cons: Generally higher in sodium and taste much worse than a homemade version.

This. They are horrifically high in sodium, not to mention all the preservatives and other chemicals thrown in for fun. They are easy to fix and you know what you're getting calorie wise, but for me they are definitely not worth it.

TheSlorax

I enjoy healthy choice steamers quite often. they're good. I am a really good cook but living on my own it gets expensive and wasteful. I like having things packaged into one serving.

SkinnyWannabeGal

Pros: I can get my protein, carbs, veggies and fruits on my table in under 10 mins with a Healthy Choice turkey dinner.

Cons: feeling guilty knowing that I could've whipped up a homemade grilled chicken salad instead if I wasn't so freaking lazy

I try to steer clear of prepackaged foods as much as possible, but I have my occasional slip ups. Fresh tastes better and it's so much better for me.

vnatural

I use to eat packaged food everyday and all day thinking it was healthy because of the brand and label plus I had very bad food allergies.
Then I was introduced to organic food after going natural 100% best choice of my life.
I cook just about all my food and if its not cooked then I probably eat fruit or a sandwich.
Whenever I do eat prepacked I can always tell the difference in my body and mood.
I basically feel crappy.
Anywho, just try eating actual natural food even if its not organic and make it yourself.
I guarantee you will notice a difference in how you feel and your weight.

34blast

One big pro for me for pre-packaged food is the the calories and nutrition and serving sizes are easy. Meaning when I make my own food, its probably less accurate for calories, serving size, and nutrition. I think too many people underestimate calories and serving sizes when they cook themselves. I'm sure more hardcore people are measuring the details. e.g. when you eat a chicken breast, make your own sandwich, salad or lasagna or you weighing it first? Are you sure about the calories and serving sizes?

I grew up on a farm and everything we ate was organic (no chemicals at all) for vegetables, beef, fruits, etc. Our beef was grass fed with no hormones, same for chicken and eggs. I miss those days, but am a convenience enthusiast now. Normal supermarket and Walmart produce is probably less healthy than all those prepackaged meals. The best solution for those willing to shell out the money who aren't farmers is organic stores, provided they are willing to spend the money. For me, prepackaged stuff is easier while dieting.

laylaness

I eat pre-packaged all the time. I can cook, I'm just lazy.

We shop exclusively at Trader Joe's, though, and they have a ton of stuff that is reasonably good. Just check the package for macros, that's what we do. We still get fresh fruit and veg, and stuff like Greek yogurt, cheese, natural peanut butter, etc.

Just, you know, look at the box.

Cindyinpg

I don't bother. Why not bake up a good-sized batch of chicken breasts once a week and have it chopped up and ready to go in stir fries, salads and sandwiches?