Boxed/Packaged Meals (Good or Bad?)

I used to eat them for lunch everyday as well (lean cuisines, smart ones etc), solely because of the low calories and they didn't taste too bad. But, like you, one day i looked at the sodium and was somewhat disgusted. My solution is that now I keep them for days that maybe i forgot my lunch or didn't have time to prepare one. I try not to eat more than two a week. My favorite is the Chicken Suiza Enchilada!

Oh, and I use to eat the Healthy Choice Merlot Beef Steamer one, very yummy!

I used to eat them, and then realized that with how much they cost I could make two or three times as much real food at home, freeze it, and still have a "frozen meal" to eat at work. And then I know what's in them (and what's not in them).

I don't think they're the worst thing in the world--certainly better than fast food. But I think they're overrated in general, especially the ones directed at people trying to lose weight. They want you to think the only way you can have a 300 calorie, filling meal is by buying their product--but the big secret they don't want you know is that it's cheaper and healthier to make your own--and not really any more difficult or time-consuming.

I view them now in the same way I view ice cream, cookies, or french fries--as a treat that I might enjoy once in a while, but not something I eat frequently.

But, like I said, they're not horrible. If it works for you, then go for it.

A lot of people on here are against eating these kinds of foods, but honestly, the way I see it is they are much better choices than what I used to eat, which was fast (greasy) food every day of the week. I work 4 days a week, and I usually only eat these kinds of meals for lunch at work because they are quick and easy, and as I said, healthier than other alternatives that are near my workplace. My new favorite frozen meal is Marie Callender's Asian Recipes Chicken Teriyaki.

MIchaelina's light gourmet frozen entrees are great, they are as good as the more expensive brands, they are on sale here all the time for usually a dollar for one. The pizza is really good, satisfies my craving for pizza and saves me money!!!! :flowerforyou:

I eat one almost every day. I love the healthy choice steamers, however my fav is Lean Michelina's meatloaf. It may not be the best tasting one, but it feels me up for only 180 calories. I do track my sodium along with my calories, fat etc, so I can see if I am taking in too much. They may not be the healthiest, but the ease of these keeps me out to Mcdonalds drive thru. I spend my lunch time at Curves, then eat microwave meals at my desk.

I eat them. I also get the lean pockets.

Sure, they are processed and have more sodium than need be really.

My alternative is usually fast food.

I've love to know how they are not more time consuming than cooking them yourself. Uh, I'm pretty sure buying and popping a frozen meal in the microwave is way less time consuming than cooking an entire meal, including figuring it out, buying the ingredients, preparing, clean up, and portioning for the next days lunch. Yeah, that is so not true.

I'd love to get to the day I can make all my meals, but right now that is just not gonna happen often.

The chicken enchilada suiza is my fave as well.

I eat them for lunch out of convenience, and I drink a lot of water so sodium is as much of a concern

I use to eat them alot.....Healthy Choice was my favorite, it was also the cheapest at the time......When I used it, I lost alot of weight, they are low in calories and very filling to me....and I ate fruits etc in between....but that was years go. I havent eaten them in a while....back when I use to eat them, I didnt worry about sodium content, so I wasnt aware of how the sodium was.

So I guess everyone on here who voted for 'yes" missed the segment on the Today Show this morning? They actually took some of these frozen meals to an independent lab which found huge errors in the calories and fat that is advertised. When questioned about this, the company spokesperson said, it's an average and the FDA doesn't require us to be accurate.

So if you want to eat one of those frozen meals, go right ahead but buyer beware!!! You won't catch any of them in my house, sodium is way too high anyway. I would rather make a quick meal out of stir fry veggies and a protein or take a rotisserie chicken apart and put 4 oz in a tortilla wrap with some tomato and hummus any day rather than eating those frozen boxes.

Yep, missed it like usual as I'm at work. However, even if they are wrong, its still healthier than fast food, right?

I generally estimate the cals in the meals I make at home too so its not much different for me.

And, for me, sodium isn't much of an issue.