Frozen Dinners

Charmed285

Without it, I don't know how to eat healthy since I don't know how to shop for the right things and I'm on a budget and healthy foods are expensive. I've been eating frozen dinners by Weight watchers, healthy choice, ect. I think mostly they're pretty healthy from the ingredent's I've read, but I'm worried about the sodium in them, since they are a packaged food.

Any thoughts? I try to save them for only dinner, but I may have it for every meal throughout the day. Also, they have plenty of protein, but lack fiber... however I do eat oatmeal with sugar, because I can't stand them any other way, and whole wheat bread, and peanut butter; that's all the fiber I have.

s1lence

Frozen dinners can be loaded with sodium and so can prepackaged boxed dinners. If you are having to search for alternatives or don't know how to start- try to do it simply. Start with frozen veggies to add to dinners (have to watch some of these as well because they can be packed with sodium). Try to adjust the way you cook things. Examples of which are; if you enjoy instant oatmeal try the steal cut or quick oats instead, if you make spaghetti try using whole wheat pasta instead of regular, if you like shakes out somewhere try making them at home (cheaper and if you do it right much better for you and lower in calories). If you are having a hard time getting your fiber in you can add things like flax seed to your diet or supplement it with things like Metamucil.

Healthy food isn't all that bad in price if you know how to plan your meals. Check out farmers markets and places like that. Even going from one type of grocery store to another may have a huge price difference in the same type of food. Aldi's is a great place to go shopping for food. Also don't be afraid to check out the ads- I pick up certain foods only when they are on sale because they run so high sometimes.

Good luck to you.

cheesy_blasters

I'd say fine in a pinch but I think learning about healthy foods will be (overall) more beneficial to you. Maybe setting a goal like adding one home made dinner each week and slowly increasing that. You can find good recipes online- you don't even need to buy cookbooks to start. Check out grocery store flyers and track sales. You can find great sales on produce and meat sometimes.
Maybe adding fruit to your oatmeal instead of the sugar? It would still sweeten it but you'd also get micronutrients and fiber and other benefits. Blueberries/cranberries/apples. You can find them frozen (and on sale) sometimes too to save money.

There are a lot of posts on here that discuss budgeting and eating well on a tight budget. Definitely check those out (you can search for them).

I don't have any meals on hand to compare but keep an eye on other nutrients you need- vitamins/minerals. Those are just as important as calories/protein/fat/sodium/fiber.

Good luck!

Becca224

If you need healthy and easy recipes try stir fry’s. They are so easy and really healthy to. Basic ones only require a few vegetables, like onion, chopped capsicum, shredded carrot, broccoli florets, and maybe even some cut up snow peas. The best thing about them is you can add in whatever vegetables you like. All i do is chop everything up and add it to a frying pan with a little oil. Plus add in some meat, this can be stir fry beef or chicken, and mix it al together. Once cooked put in some sauce. This could be anything; you can even buy packet sauces or stir fry jar sauces. I love things like satay with chicken, or mongolian or black bean with beef. Or just some soy sauce will usually do to, as I love soy sauce with a spoon or two of honey as well. What I love is you can add in differerent vegetables or sauces and it tastes complteley different.

Once done either cook noodles and add them (I love hokien or Singapore noodles with stir fry’s) or you can boil some rice and put that on a plate, then put the stir fry on top. The best thing about stir fry's is that you can put them in containers and freeze them for other nights, or take them to work for lunch. They are full of nutrition and are very filling.

Plus they make easy meals on other nights are healthier then frozen dinners. Plus not to expensive to put together, you can get 4 or 5 meals out of one lot of stir fry and the ingredients are probably the same cost as one or two frozen meals.

If you need other recipe or dinner ideas let me know . I have some easy casserole, pasta bake and soup ideas to. I live out of home and only earn a small amount so most times I try and not spend too much on food.

Also in regards to fiber, my doctor told me that you need some fibre but not too much. What fibre you get from breakfast and bread is probably fine. I get most my fibre from breakfast and lunch, not so much from dinner.

Hope that helps!

knowwhentoshutup

Make your own frozen dinners, lunches, etc. There are a TON of sites online that talk about freezer cooking and recipes. But, if you are looking for healthy meals that are easy to prepare check out the website SkinnyTaste.com - awesome site.

lbaileyjohannsen

I find I have been saving a little money since starting MFP because I will make enough food for a few meals, then eat it over the next couple days. It's also a time saver. The Recipe section here has a lot of good stuff (a lot of not so good stuff too)! I made this tonight for dinner and it took me a half an hour-- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/580005-chicken-alfredo . I would try to sit down at the beginning of the week and write down a concrete plan for every single meal (Even if some of them are frozen dinners). It takes effort, but DANG! Those frozen meals really are expensive once you think about how you have to pay for each one. It takes a lot of effort but anything worth doing does. Another site that has some great recipes is this http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com . All of her recipes are geared toward healthier eating.

LastSixtySix

The tough news is that changing ways from convenient and sodium-packed and prepackaged foods takes time and patience and learning new skills. It took me over a year to make the change. Now I'm fully on board shopping, prepping, and eating fresh and nutritious foods = I save time now because I don't have to spend time planning too much - I eat pretty much similar foods just mixed up in different ways. So not having to plan new menus each week and month is a real time saver. Still, it took me over a year to experiment and find what I can live with. It was well worth it though. My heart circulation problem is no more and I have way more energy.

Good luck to you. You are asking the right questions. Just don't be afraid to jump in and learn some new healthy eating tricks. One is to carry a cooler with you all the time - in the car, at the office, etc. loaded with fresh good foods (hard boiled egg, lettuce, fruit , veggies).

= Debra

Charmed285

Thanks everyone

dhoody

Make your own frozen dinners, lunches, etc. There are a TON of sites online that talk about freezer cooking and recipes. But, if you are looking for healthy meals that are easy to prepare check out the website SkinnyTaste.com - awesome site.

Great idea I recently started doing this and its been really good for me. Gives you some control and adjust-ability with your meals

Liveloveandbefit456

Try these

-Cedar Lane low fat chicken burrito
-Dr Praegers lightly breaded fish sticks
-Amy's low sodium lasagna
-Bell and Evans buffalo style chicken wings with alexia waffle sweet potato fries
-Whole foods 365 Mediterranean pizza (Kashi makes one too)

These were recommendations from Dr. Oz when he was talking about budget friendly frozen meals 5 days a week that are still healthy. He recommends pairing it with a salad EVERY night! I haven't tried them all but I'm a fan of Amy's since it's organic and delicious!

doubglass

frozen dinners have a lot of additives -- even weight watchers. And, they are more expensive than eating healthy. Not knocking weight watchers just giving you the facts. Load up on greens, whole grains, beans chicken & fish and fruit. All are cheaper than eating frozen.

taunto

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/598499-need-some-blogs-sites-for-recipes

go here, theres a bunch of sites and blogs with really delicious foods that're good for you too. Cooking like a pro might take time but if you start out with easy dishes, you will be able to cook decent in no time

Good luck!

melissachipman123

Healthy food is cheaper! Do you have Costco? Chicken breast frozen 10lbs is 15.00 in Hawaii?