Does anyone...?

thewallflower1428

Hey guys,
So I was wondering if anyone here uses frozen veggies as a staple for meals? (Ex. Green giant steamers) I think they are so good and are prett low in cals so that's good. I'm not a vegetarian but my mom is and we're dieting together. She is doing WW and I am just counting calories. Alot of peopl have suggested to me to make meals in bulk and then freeze them. So I thought I could make bulks of vegetarian and then maybe add some meat when I thaw? Idk. Suggestions?
Sorry if this is in the wrong category!

trisH_7183

You might get more replies in the recipe thread.Frozen veggies are fine Some I would add just before eating.Broccoli is nasty when coked too long,just one example.

JG762

Hey guys,
So I was wondering if anyone here uses frozen veggies as a staple for meals? (Ex. Green giant steamers) I think they are so good and are prett low in cals so that's good. I'm not a vegetarian but my mom is and we're dieting together. She is doing WW and I am just counting calories. Alot of peopl have suggested to me to make meals in bulk and then freeze them. So I thought I could make bulks of vegetarian and then maybe add some meat when I thaw? Idk. Suggestions?
Sorry if this is in the wrong category!

I'm not one to be able to answer your question but I have to agree that I eat them often and love them. I used to never eat vegetables but I'm getting much better and really enjoying some of them, I like the steamers and plan on keeping them in my meal plans. Obviously fresh would be a better option but sometimes it just doesn't fit into your schedule.

lynn_glenmont

Frozen vegetables are fine, and in many cases are more nutritious than what you might buy fresh, which often will be days or even weeks off the plant or out of the ground. Since you're trying to lose weight, you probably want to stay away from frozen veggies that have sauces. I tend to prefer fresh veggies myself, for their versatility (can roast, stir fry, or eat raw, whereas with frozen I feel like I'm pretty much limited to steaming and boiling). Plus frozen beets, etc. don't come with the greens attached, and I like to cook those as well. But I do generally keep frozen peas (since I don't want to shell them) and frozen corn (fresh corn is for eating on the ear; I don't like cutting the kernels off) on hand, and occasionally will buy mixed veggies, which is a quick way to get them rather than having to prep small amounts of three or four veggies myself. (My favorite is Green Giant's "digestive health" mix of carrots, navy beans, and spinach.)

So I thought I could make bulks of vegetarian and then maybe add some meat when I thaw? Idk. Suggestions?

If you mean actually adding the meat to the food after it thaws, I think this would work best with things like stews, curries, and soups, rather than casseroles or lasagnas, unless you don't mind kind of tearing your serving apart to insert some meat -- and even then, the flavors likely won't blend in a satisfactory manner just during reheating.

If you just mean cook some meat and have it on the side with your meal while your Mom eats just the vegetarian meal, that should work with anything. (Also, just in case you meant it literally when you said "add some meat when I thaw," for food safety, please cook the meat separately after or while the other food is thawing, and then heat them together when the frozen food has been fully defrosted.)

thewallflower1428

Thanks everyone! I think I will also post this in recipes.

elyelyse

I use frozen veggies a few times a week. the only thing I don't like about some frozen veggies is that just heating them up in the microwave they get a little mushy, so I like to defrost them, and then put a little bit of oil in a pan and maybe some garlic, a little hot sauce. Cooking them that way, they get a little brown and more flavorful with a better texture.
However, those "steamers" packs are usually significantly more expensive per serving than just a plain old bag of frozen veggies, so that's something to look at when you are making your selection at the grocery store.

fruttibiscotti

Frozen veg fried in butter is yummy!

Asparagus, Brussels sprouts, spinach, kale, green beans, etc.

alienaliens

I buy frozen veggies instead of fresh. Lots of times if I dont want to cook the fresh ones will wilt.

tomlincampbell

Frozen veggies work in a pinch just be careful and read the ingredients. Sometimes Frozen products have additives that you wouldnt think about because it is a veggie.

What i do is buy fresh from the local farmers market, blanch and then vaccu-seal and then freeze. the more control you have over your ingredients the better off you are. plus you can use proper portion sizes

as for your mom being a vegetarian try to incorporate seitan ( http://vegetarian.about.com/od/glossary/g/Seitan.htm ) or other substitutes