Lean cuisine?

Pandasarecool

What are your opinions on this? Does it taste good? Is it good for you? Are there any better frozen meal options? I work from 5-9 and need quick dinner ideas. I have been doing a protein bar, but I notice it gives me gas:embarassed: :blushing: Plus I would kind of like a hot meal sometimes, but I am usually not super hungry.

amoffatt

I eat these on occasions, bad part is sodium so I try to avoid not eating them on a daily basis.

monicalosesweight

Do you mean 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.? If yes, that's a very long day. I would recommend a crock pot. It's an easy way to leave yourself some food cooking. If you don't want a ton of food, you can get a smaller one at Walmart and just put all the ingredients you want into it. There are lots of cookbooks out there with ideas so it may make your life a bit easier.

Ldysw357

I prefer the WW Smart Ones myself. They have more food so that you at least get full and I think taste better. Also check out the Hormel Comp,eats (not in the freezer section). They're not bad and about the same calories as the WW meals. Lean Cuisine isn't bad, but I always still feel hungry after I eat them. Could just be me though, lol.

djtulppo

I actually eat them quite often. I make a small salad and its perfect for a light lunch. I count calories so the sodium is not a concern of mine. I checked with my Dr. she said they are fine to eat for lunch.

Pandasarecool

Do you mean 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.? If yes, that's a very long day. I would recommend a crock pot. It's an easy way to leave yourself some food cooking. If you don't want a ton of food, you can get a smaller one at Walmart and just put all the ingredients you want into it. There are lots of cookbooks out there with ideas so it may make your life a bit easier.

Actually, its 5pm to 9pm. I can't eat at work, and I can't sleep if I eat too late. I am a waitress, so I am running around and on my feet that whole time.

Healthydiner65

If your protein bar has malititol or sugar alcohols it could be causing your GI problems.Lean Cuisine is o.k occasionally.You can work it into your menu with a fruit and vegy!

TinGirl314

I eat a lot of Lean cuisine/Healthy choice meals because it's difficult for me to cook from home.
22 pounds since August

The only thing I would worry about is if you have a heart condition...the sodium is a little yikes.

bellesouth18

I just started working full time again and eat them quite often now. They're easy to transport and don't take long to heat. I add a veggie, plus a fruit, small dessert type snack, cottage cheese, or yogurt and am satisfied for a few hours. The Compleats are much higher in sodium. I can only eat one of those (the steak tips and potatoes) due to the sodium.

maurbor

What about having your main meal at noon? When you come home for work maybe have some cheese, melba toast & fruit.

MusicInMyHeart

If sodium is not something you need to keep track of, I would recommend them along with a salad or some extra veggies mixed in. I buy frozen vegetables and mix them all in together so I feel fuller.

pkoll

I take the Lean Cuisine meals and Healthy Choice meals to work fairly often. They both taste good. I didn't care for the one and only Hormel complete meal I had.

Pandasarecool

If sodium is not something you need to keep track of, I would recommend them along with a salad or some extra veggies mixed in. I buy frozen vegetables and mix them all in together so I feel fuller.

I track my sodium, but I am under 1000 almost everyday, and if I plain accordingly, i think I could fit it in.

NaturallyOlivia

I love them! They have a herb and garlic roasted chicken with vegetables that is only 170 cal for the whole thing! and a steak tips in a portabella sauce with broccoli for only 160 cal!

effcla

I prefer Lean Cuisines to Weight Watcher meals. Neither will fill you up on their own but I always found the WW meals taste flat. My favorites are the turkey with apples and I think it's chicken with sweet potato whip. My favorite WW meal is the tuna noodle casserole. But I also eat Amy's frozen meals.

DenyseMarieL

I bought the Weight Watchers meals on a whim when they were on sale, and I was surprised at how good they were! I like to have them on hand for days when my hubby isn't here to cook for, or the kids have other plans. Then it keeps me from eating junk.

NatashaShen

I get Michalina meals. Almost all the ones I have tried are pretty good, and fairly satisfying, although adding a veggie or something helps. To me its the same as lean cuisine, but its only $1 at walmart! And most of them are under 350 calories, but a bit up there in sodium.

gekcsk

I like both the Lean Cuisine and the Weight watcher smart ones. The only ones that I didn't care for were the mac and cheese in both brands. Sodium is high but if that is not a problem for you then I would recomend either one.

iluvoptics

I think they are only good for emergencies when you have nothing else to pack. TOO little protein and veg. They are mainly starch. I think the best thing is when you cook, make a whole bunch of say, chicken breasts, or burger patties, or pork chops. There are so many ways to season meat so you can make lots of variety. Then freeze the leftover in seperate resealable baggies. When it's time to eat, grab a single serving from the freezer, pair it with your carb choice and some veggies-voila! Practically instant homemade Lean Cuisine (and much healthier for you!) Examples are: crock pot full of chic breasts with a can of enchilada sauce. Or a skillet (or crock pot) of pork chops simmering in BBQ sauce. Crock pot of chili. Make a full skillet of beef taco meat. Bake a full pan of some meaty pasta casserole, freeze single servings.

amnsetie

Cooking really doesn't have to take long
Omelettes and stir frys are really quick
A really hot grill will cook a steak, chicken tenders or a pork chop in less than 5 minutes
Chuck a tomato onion and some mushrooms on as well.
A good microwave will bake a potato within 5 minutes too.

Real food wins every time.
I've tried mum's frozen meals from most brands and I can't say I found one as good as real food.
She's 93 so she has an excuse to use them sometimes, even she prefers to cook for herself as much as possible

sunlovers

I don't mind eating a frozen dinner occasionally. I look at thm and try o find the ones I like that are basically decent protein and some veggies. Healthy Choice is making some decent ones and I do like Amy's and Kashi.
I do like to add some leftover veggies that I have in the fridge to boost the size of the meal a bit and add some nutritional content.
I just don't understand why these companies that are supposedly trying to make these meals can't find a way to control the sodium content. It would certainly up the consumption of their products for those who are needing to control their sodium.
Anyone else wonder that too?

amnsetie

I just don't understand why these companies that are supposedly trying to make these meals can't find a way to control the sodium content. It would certainly up the consumption of their products for those who are needing to control their sodium.
Anyone else wonder that too?

The salt gets addictive. Means you want to keep buying their product and other food is no longer to your taste.
Simple business model

Espressocycle

They are pretty good. They usually taste pretty much like actual food and have a lot of variety. I pick them up on sale and eat one when I don't have leftovers to take to work.

OddballExtreme

I just don't understand why these companies that are supposedly trying to make these meals can't find a way to control the sodium content. It would certainly up the consumption of their products for those who are needing to control their sodium.
Anyone else wonder that too?

The salt gets addictive. Means you want to keep buying their product and other food is no longer to your taste.
Simple business model

The higher sodium content is what allows those meals to last so long and somehow doesn't taste half as salty as some foods I've eaten that have LESS sodium. Fortunately for me, I buy Healthy Choices (my preference over Lean Cuisine) ONLY when I know there's not enough left over from the week and when it's too close to lunch time. I've only bought a meal three times in about two months. Knowing I don't do any other high-sodium meals and snacks throughout the day, I can stay well under my 1500 mg limit (high blood pressure). I have the diabetes/high blood pressure combo, so I have to watch both carbs and sodium.

Canderson58054

I've tried a few of them... I like the ones with pasta in it...lol I LOVED pasta and breads. I think the shrimp alfredo and the chicken caesar one are my favorites. My doctor and dietician actually suggested to try them, as I am not going to find a meal with pasta in it for under 250 calories and 30g of carbs (I'm type 1 diabetic) I don't eat them all the time but i have them on hand incase my bloodsugar starts dropping and i need to eat NOW ( 3 mins vs ?? with cooking something) When I eat them, I'll generally also have a serving of additional veggies, or i pick a fruit, and water and I'm usually satisfied with just that. Only way to know is to try them to see if YOU like them and look at the box... does it fit with your goals? Also note- i only buy the ones that are 30g of carbs or less, for obvious reasons

80lbslost

I started eating the Safeway Eating Right version of Lean Cuisine. It's cheaper and high in protein. The downside is a lot of sodium of course so I don't eat them more than 1-2x/week.

megsmom2

Some of those meals are pretty tasty and they are handy for a fast on the run meal. They di tend to be high in sodium though, and abut pricy for every day. So sure, use them sometimes, but homecooked is better and usually cheaper.

twingirlsmommy

Sorry i think they're yucky and have too much salt. If you prepare something like a big salad, the possibilites are endless. You can also prepare batches of protein too. Salad and tuna, salad and a salmon burger ( I made a batch of them today), salad and a chicken breast, taco salad with extra lean ground beef and salsa and fat free sour cream. Somtiems I put craisins and sunflower seeds on my salad and have some lean pork loin on the side. You can get way more bang for your buck if you prepare stuff yourself and do a bit of planning and prep one day of the week : )

Desilou72

I like them. I dont eat them all the time though. I have gotten the Lean pockets also and those are pretty good. I also get the Special K protein bars and those arent as bad on the gas issue.

BARBnKS

The only frozen meals I'll buy are the Lean Cuisine Pizzas, I usually have to add a slice of canadian bacon to one before I heat it and fix a salad or some celery & carrot sticks to go with it. Too much sodium to eat vey often but good when I have that pizza craving.

vanillarama

I often work from 2pm to 10pm and I've never eaten a ready meal. I just make a salad with some sort of lean, already cooked protein like light feta, turkey, tofu, etc., tons of veggies, and possibly some chickpeas or lentils. Those meals are soooo full of preservatives. Someone else here suggested maybe eating your main meal at lunch...that might not be a bad idea, then pack some fruit, nuts, and a sandwich or something for dinner? I definitely understand the need for convenience, but don't deprive yourself of a healthy meal!