Smart Choice or other healthy frozen dinners?

Boxing987
Boxing987 Posts: 143 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Are these acceptable if eaten with vegetables/bread? I know the sodium levels are high but if you sweat a lot then is it ok to have these daily? thanks
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Replies

  • TrolleyRide
    TrolleyRide Posts: 64 Member
    Sodium doesn't matter if you're drinking plenty of water.
  • Boxing987
    Boxing987 Posts: 143 Member
    i try to drink more water
  • amwbox
    amwbox Posts: 576 Member
    They're kinda a ripoff, and low quality food.

    You might try cooking and freezing ahead your own frozen dinners. Cheaper in bulk and you can avoid all the industrial chemicals they put in that stuff.
  • sugarlemonpie
    sugarlemonpie Posts: 311 Member
    I always buy Amy's organic frozen meals. They don't have a ton of chemicals and additives, they don't have a ton of sodium, and they have a lot of flavor! My favorites are the cheese enchiladas, mac and cheese, and the Mexican casserole. They make a good lunch or dinner at around 400 calories, and I snack on cherry tomatoes or carrots and hummus.
  • annabeladcock
    annabeladcock Posts: 99
    Recently I've bought myself lots of frozen meals just because I'm very busy and need the convenience. There are many "healthy choice" brands who do meals for 300-500 calories. The two that I go for are weight watchers and tesco healthy living :) Just watch out on the bread - just one slice can add a whole 100 calories :/

    EDIT - and of course, the more veggies the better! Last night I had a tesco chicken and tomato pasta bake for around 350 calories and it had lots of hidden veggies in it which I like :) because I'm like a child that way haha, not keen on the veggies...
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I eat a few...I don't see the issue.

    If I am pressed for time or calories they work well.

    I am partial to lean cuisine chicken and potatoes in wine sauce...216 calories, 14 grams of protien and it's filling for me anyway...
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,282 Member
    I think they are fine now and then.

    I wouldn't base my entire diet around them but if you like them and you don't mind the cost and the quick easy convenience is important - not a problem.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    They're fine from time to time. It's just that I could eat way more food for the calories... not sure what they put in there sometimes!
  • stv1520
    stv1520 Posts: 199 Member
    I consume A LOT of sodium. I'm a salt-aholic. Just look at my profile pic lol. But- I sweat a ton too. Last blood test I had--sodium levels were perfect. I love the lean cuisine/weightwatchers/healthy choice meals for work lunches. I just wait until they are on sale.
  • millej30
    millej30 Posts: 17
    I love my Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers! When I'm making a pot of Mac n cheese for the kids it's much easier to stay away knowing I have chicken linguine or sesame chicken just 4 minutes away. That said I keep it to 1/work day. At home I cook. :-)
  • Keepcalmanddontblink
    Keepcalmanddontblink Posts: 718 Member
    They're kinda a ripoff, and low quality food.

    You might try cooking and freezing ahead your own frozen dinners. Cheaper in bulk and you can avoid all the industrial chemicals they put in that stuff.
    I dislike the Healthy Choice meals, but Lean Cuisine has some decent meals. I usually get their pepperoni pizzas when I am craving pizza.
  • FitMe758
    FitMe758 Posts: 177 Member
    I also like Amy's Organics. They seem to have more flavor.
    I don't think it's a big deal to eat them particularly when accompanied by veggies or a salad. As long as sodium is not an issue.
    With that said the Hungry Man and Marie Callendas (sp?) brands are soooo super loaded with fat and sodium that I don't respond well to having them often.
  • nancy10272004
    nancy10272004 Posts: 277 Member
    My doctor approves of Amy's. I usually don't get home until 7 at night after work so dinner can be a pain. I probably eat Amy's or take out 3-5 nights a week and I'm not dead yet.
  • Boxing987
    Boxing987 Posts: 143 Member
    i eat it with potato salad and it fills me but i know the potato salad isnt healthy so i try to limit it
  • santiagojorgem
    santiagojorgem Posts: 102
    i try to avoid any frozen dinners and its helped me get good results thus far, plus being a chef its easy to cook once a week for the entire week, make it healthy and make it taste great
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,282 Member
    i try to avoid any frozen dinners and its helped me get good results thus far, plus being a chef its easy to cook once a week for the entire week, make it healthy and make it taste great

    That's great for you! :smile:

    But not everyone is a chef or enjoys cooking or has cooking skills - for other people, frozen meals now and then can be handy.

    I probably average one a fortnight and I've had good results too.
  • santiagojorgem
    santiagojorgem Posts: 102
    you would be surprised how easy it is to cook something tasty, besides in my weight loss i have found that having a different relationship with food can be very helpful
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,282 Member
    you would be surprised how easy it is to cook something tasty, besides in my weight loss i have found that having a different relationship with food can be very helpful

    Well, what some people find easy and enjoy doing, others don't.

    I cook lots of times - but sometimes I don't want to and I have a frozen meal.

    Not sure what you mean by 'a different relationship with food can be very helpful'
    I think I have a perfectly fine relationship with food - but, like many people, that relationship sometimes includes frozen dinners.
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    I buy frozen entrees and just drink the heck out of water each day in order to offset the high sodium content.
  • dym123
    dym123 Posts: 1,670 Member
    2-3 times a month I cook up recipes that have at least 4 servings (usually on the weekends when I have more time). I portion them in individual containers and stick them in the freezer. If I'm short on time, just stick one in the microwave. I will admit, it takes planning. When I do my grocery list, I go through my recipes to make sure I have what I need. I also grill up a lot of meat. Yesterday I grilled up about 10 chicken breasts, some salmon and turkey burgers. Put them in plastic baggies and put them in the freezer, so if I do decide to cook, I just need to cook up some veggies or make a salad for lunch.
  • rosebette
    rosebette Posts: 1,660 Member
    I think frozen meals are convenient if you're in a hurry and also a way to control calories, and I prefer Lean Cuisine myself. However, the sodium content really affects me. I did a weigh in one day after eating one of those, and even though I had consumed under my targets, my weight went up almost 2 lbs., whereas if I've done weigh-ins on a day when I've actually eaten more calories, but in food I've prepared myself, my weight was stable.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    I don't see a problem with eating the frozen dinners sometimes. I have tasted some and don't care for them personally, but if you like it, then go for it!
  • weightliftingdiva
    weightliftingdiva Posts: 522 Member
    There are some great options out there in terms of frozen meals. They're perfectly fine to eat. I really like the lean cuisine chicken in peanut sauce - 2 packages is like 600 calories with 41g of protein and full of flavor.
  • wyattj99
    wyattj99 Posts: 454 Member
    I eat a few...I don't see the issue.

    If I am pressed for time or calories they work well.

    I am partial to lean cuisine chicken and potatoes in wine sauce...216 calories, 14 grams of protien and it's filling for me anyway...

    I like me some Lean Cuisine as well. Plus log in the code inside for points to get free stuff :)
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    I don't use them, but not really because of the sodium. I find that frozen meals are just crappy food in sad portions. I've never felt satisfied after a frozen dinner, ever. If that's all I had to eat for lunch, I'd be pretty sad...and hungry. I just don't consider them to be real food. I prefer real food.

    If you enjoy them and they don't leave you hungry, then I don't see why you couldn't eat them.
  • Velum_cado
    Velum_cado Posts: 1,608 Member
    I think they're disgusting, but if you like them there's no reason you shouldn't eat them from time to time. Everything in moderation.
  • fortheloveofjas
    fortheloveofjas Posts: 2 Member
    I also prefer Amy's frozen foods; I try to eat a fresh salad most days also.
    I'm on Day 101....

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    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Nutrition Facts For Foods
  • tryett
    tryett Posts: 530 Member
    I keep some in the freezer at work for when I forget lunch or don't want to go out. I also keep some at home for nights when I don't feel like cooking.
  • nancy10272004
    nancy10272004 Posts: 277 Member
    you would be surprised how easy it is to cook something tasty, besides in my weight loss i have found that having a different relationship with food can be very helpful

    Me, myself and I find it very difficult to cook anything, forget about something tasty. I'm 46 and have accepted the fact that I can't even make a hard boiled egg or make rice.

    I'm curious about what you mean by having a different relationship with food means exactly.
  • santiagojorgem
    santiagojorgem Posts: 102
    i guess i speak for myself when i say this and i don't know if it applies to others but if you view food as more than just a means to get full and satisfied and more of a tool to use to reach your fitness goals i think it kinda helps

    also taking the time to prepare it (again i speak for myself) helps me stay away from fattening foods (mcchickens being one of my favorites) it also makes me appreciate what i am doing that much more as it relates to my fitness goals

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