Opinions on Lean Cuisines?

sandsofarabia

And other "lean" single serve meals? What do you think about having them as part of your diet occasionally?

I like the idea of buying cheap meals for when I'm too tired to make my own dinner but are there things about these meals that can be bad for weight loss?

KimchiKiller

I really enjoy Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers, but they can be high in sodium, which is definitely not good. I think if you have some of these type meals occasionally, it's ok, but definitely not for lunch & dinner every day of the week.

HardyGirl4Ever

I always loved them. When I used to get them and use them I would save money and lose weight. But then everyone talked me into stopping because they're overly processed.

jmuth01

I would read over this to start:

http://diet.lovetoknow.com/wiki/How_Healthy_Are_Lean_Cuisines_Frozen_Dinner

IMO, eating processed pre-packaged meals in never beneficial because, well, its processed. Yes, it is convenient, but you can easily make something equivalent in the time it takes to heat it up that is better and natural.

JLoescher01

I guess they might be ok in a pinch, but they don't have much nutrition in them and little food. I always try to make my own frozen meals. Just make extra of the good stuff and freeze it.

Rawr1978

they're too expensive where I live, but I'm not exactly a health but, and they aided weight loss.

ge105

if you keep your calories in check you can eat anything you like within reason and still lose weight. That being said- my opinion on "lean cuisines" is that they taste bad and I wouldn't waste my calories on them. If you would like a microwave meal I suggest trying Amy's; they taste a 1,000x better.

Sometimes when I'm really tired after school I have what I call a "pupu" meal. I have larger portions of things I usually eat as appetizers or snacks because they're easy to grab such as grapes, cheese, pepperoni/salami, dark chocolate or ice-cream, maybe even potato chips (not all together obviously) and sometimes a larger glass of wine :bigsmile: and have that as "diner". It actually kind of feels like a treat. Just an idea.

geneticsteacher

Frozen vegetables actually have as many vitamins, and in some cases, more than fresh vegetables. Lean Cuisine has also changed some of their pasta to whole wheat. They are high in sodium. As an occasional meal, they are healthy options.

zoeysasha37

I think those frozen meals taste awful. Make up some dinners and freeze them, have them already pre measured and weighed. So when you don't feel like cooking, they will be there ready for you. Also pasta and frozen veggies make fire a fast dinner without much prep time.

cuckoo_jenibeth

I agree that they are fine as occasional meal options, just not everyday. They are high in sodium, and worse they don't teach you proper nutrition planning. I do have these foods in my diet, but when I include them, I make sure that I also increase my fluid intake to help eliminate excess sodium (and to feel fuller, because most of those meals contain very little food)

TurtleTape

My personal favorite lean frozen meals are the Michelina Lean Gourmet ones. They're usually like a dollar apiece where I am, and they taste very good. When supplemented with another side, like bread, a meat, or a potato, for example, they're just like any other meal. Often, they don't even need a supplement.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

Too expensive.
Not enough food.
No fresh produce.
Too much sodium.

Kisame29

I have the same type of lean cuisine every day for breakfast (chicken parmesan). Personally I really enjoy the taste of that one and it is easy to make in the morning since it will cook while I'm getting ready. Plus then I do not need to weigh out anything either, so it's also convenient for portion control.

That being said, it's probably better to make your own meals and freeze them (less sodium- although one frozen meal usually isn't too bad). I just don't want to spend my Sunday making up frozen meals for the rest of the week at this point, but hopefully one day in the future. I just try to avoid having more than one frozen meal per day.

nam985

They probably aren't ideal as an every day sort of thing, I would much rather make something fresh for the same amount of calories. I find them terribly salty and lackluster at best. However, for a quick and dirty meal on the go, they wouldn't be too bad once in a while. I keep a couple stashed at my lab in the lunchroom freezer for days that i wind up staying late running experiments and didn't bring anything for dinner.

kimny72

I always have a couple of frozen dinners in the freezer. If I work late I can be way too tempted to stop at a drive thru and make bad choices rather than figure out what to make. I always stir fry some veggies while the dinner is in the microwave to mix in.

My unprofessional opinion is that they are fine as a fall back, but not good to rely on them. I know some women who eat them every day for lunch at work but don't really like them. That makes me sad

TurtleTape

Too expensive.
Not enough food.
No fresh produce.
Too much sodium.

Depending on when the produce was added to the meal, it might actually be fresher than the "fresh" produce in your grocery store. Flash frozen veggies are much closer to fresh-picked than non-frozen ones. Plus you can get this stuff for really cheap, and if you're used to smaller portions then it's definitely enough food. Sodium really isn't as important as a lot of people claim it is.

sandsofarabia

Yeah I actually have Michelina Lean Gourmet! I only say Lean Cuisines because they are kinda the same but more known... and I just needed an opinion on the "healthy" type microwave meals. (and yeah I get them a buck a piece which is so cheap for a convenient alternative).

hgycta

I personally love them! I usually have one on days where I need something quick before work, and they work out perfectly since they are affordable, quick, and come in countless flavors and varieties! Some are definitely better than others, so just look at the nutritionals and make your decision in the store. Some do have a fair amount of vitamins and protein, and I've noticed their sodium really isn't too bad compared with other frozen meals.
I also really enjoy Healthy Choice's cafe steamers, mmmm.
As far as processing goes - yes, they're processed, but so are a lot of things and at the end of the day for weight loss calories matter most.

cwolfman13

As a foodie, these kind of things are just vile to me...absolutely disgusting...barely qualifies as food IMHO. I used to eat these kind of things occasionally when I traveled more for business and was practically living in a hotel half of the year...brings back horrible memories...nasty ****.

HellaCarriefornia

I don't eat them as a regular part of my diet, but I've been known to keep one in the freezer at work in case of emergency. If I forget my lunch from home or whatever plans I may have had falls through, then I have something that is fairly reasonable calorie-wise to fall back on.

KeepGoingKylene

I have a few lean cuisines and a few weight watchers ones that I like. I picked out the lower sodium ones and the better tasting ones and on work days i have one for lunch almost every day. I then also have some fruit or veggies with them and I am satisfied. I don't find them expensive as they are less than $2 a piece so not that bad. I personally have better things to do then to spend a weekend day making my own frozen meals lol. I have had a lot of success on my weight loss eating them. Its all about calories in and calories out so whatever floats your boat go for it! (not saying to eat one massive burger per day lol)

_SantaClause

I have a few in my freezer at work, and at home.

They are not great...
They are not terrible...

victoire713

I used to eat them a lot, but then I got so sick of eating them, that I just quit. Now I am eating other foods and other telly meals because I broke down. I know they're not good for one because of how much sodium they have in them. I can eat a whole Totinos party pizza, and still be able to eat another. I usually microwave those(not great with an oven).

Sharonmdenham

I really like Green Giant steamers, teriyaki is my personal favorite. They are veggies and some have rice. I will take leftover chicken and heat up the steamer in the microwave at work and while it is out resting for the minute the package says I throw in my cut up leftover chicken to heat up for 30-45 seconds. Then I mix both on a plate and it is so much more filling than lean cuisine or any of the other prepared meals.

elisa123gal

I know the FDA allows calorie counts to be off by 20percent on food lables. So..that's the biggest thing to keep in mind.

However.. haviing my lean cuisines and smart one meals safe me when I am in a time crunch. I think it is better than falling off the wagon and eating fast food ro something bad. I always pile frozen broccoli or spinach on top of mine. I have lost weight sticking to my caloires and using them.

zcb94

I guess they might be ok in a pinch, but they don't have much nutrition in them and little food. I always try to make my own frozen meals. Just make extra of the good stuff and freeze it.

Exactly! Even if you "doctor up" those things with sauce, a salad or what have you, you can still taste a distinct artificial whang (sp?). At least, I can. There really is not a lot of wholesome food in there, compared to the number of ingredients that I feel certain even Einstein couldn't spell/say.

_runnerbean_

I eat the weight watchers ones sometimes if I am cooking something for my husband and boys that I don't like or that is too high in calories for me. I always have some extra veg or salad with it to fill up my plate. They are handy to avoid cooking two dinners, or working out calories in a recipie if I am in a hurry.

Ninkyou

I eat them very occasionally... like... once every three months. They're good for if you're in a pinch... or lazy like me... lol. But I find I can have a meal for the same amount of calories that is much fresher and yummier.

Achrya

If it fits your diet, fits your budget, and you don't find them gross I don't see what problem there could be.

Steve_Rance

Frozen Weight Watchers and Asda reduced calorie ready meals all the way here! 3 of those a day and I'm sorted.

Some might argue that they're not incredibly balanced or packed with nutrition, but they're healthier than what I was eating before and that's good enough for me

FatFreeFrolicking

They taste gross
Have too much sodium
Are not filling