Healthy/Cheap Frozen Dinners

martyc91

What are some good healthy/cheap frozen dinners @ the grocery store? I am looking for low fat, low sodium and low calorie dinner that will fill me up with protein that I need after my workout before dinner at night! Thanks for the help!

Brandicaloriecountess

Good luck finding low sodium frozen foods.

LeelaLosing

I haven't looked at the sodium content of the Kashi ones, but I do know that they are good in the fat and fiber and protein categories. Amy's also now makes a line of light dinners, but again, not sure of the sodium.

Best thing is to take a little extra time to read the nutritional info next time you are grocery shopping, but I'd definitely check out those two brands.

HoopFire5602

In my opinion, none. Is it difficult for you to take time and prepare something because you work late/long hours/ etc? None of those types of meals are very good for you....heavy in sodium and heavy in preservatives. Try some of the green giant vegetable steamers instead....healtheir, low sodium, and you get your fill of veggies.

Chunkabutt83

i find the sodium is always pretty high but i occasionally grab the smart ones by weight watchers, they seem to have the most flavor

VelvetKey

I don't know about filling up, but I prefer to buy Lean Michelina's meals. I usually eat them with a small bag of carrot sticks and a piece of fruit. At the Wal-Mart near me, they are always $1.00. I have them for lunch every day, and usually the highlight nutrition facts are on the lid so you don't have to stand there and squint at the tiny label on the back. The Santa Fe rice and beans dish is my favorite.

KyleB65

Good luck finding low sodium frozen foods.

Ditto!

I have found nothing in the frozen food that is low sodium!

Good luck!

P.S. I am looking into Whey Protein as an after workout drink.

jagh09

If it's after your workout, but before dinner, why not get something like low-fat cheese sticks, mixed nuts, guacamole or hummus and cut up veggies, or something along those lines? You can also cook up some chicken breasts or fish and put them into single serve containers and freeze them. Make some brown rice, and steamed veggies and throw them in too. Then they're homemade frozen meals. Why packaged frozen dinners?

Packaged dinners, although I am guilty of relying on them in a pinch, are all processed, higher sodium, and typically not that satisfying.

mynika

I like the idea of freezing your own for any time you are in a pinch for something quick. And it is much healthier for you as well.

TeaBea

In my opinion, none. Is it difficult for you to take time and prepare something because you work late/long hours/ etc? None of those types of meals are very good for you....heavy in sodium and heavy in preservatives. Try some of the green giant vegetable steamers instead....healtheir, low sodium, and you get your fill of veggies.

Huh? Do packaged vegetables generally have a high protien content (that original poster was looking for)? I don't have a bag of vegetables for my entire meal ..... I typically add vegetables to my meal (but that's just me).

To answer your question: look for frozen meals with whole grains and add a serving of vegetables to round it out. Kashi & Amy's are pretty good.

atomdraco

Is it possible for you to make your own frozen meal?

"Create Your Own Frozen Dinners":
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=762

"Freezer Recipes":
http://www.recipelink.com/rcpmenus.html

You should be able to find more online.

JsGordita

I would just make a healthy shake they are filling and have everything you are looking for. Here is my favorite:

1/2 c cubed mango
1/3 c blueberries
1/2 banana
1/2 c 1% milk
1/2 low fat vanilla yogurt
2 tsp. vanilla whey protein powder
3 ice cubes

Just blend it all up

It makes 2 glasses and the nutritional facts for 1 serving is : 158 cals. 8g protein, 29g carbs, 2g fat, 80 mg sodium and 2 g fiber.

There are a bunch of shake/smoothie recipes out there if you find a few you like they usually don't take long to make and are pretty filling as a meal replacement or just a snack.