Frozen dinner's

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SunLove8
SunLove8 Posts: 693 Member
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
So, I'm starting to buy different frozen food meals just to make it easier to watch my calories when I don't have time to cook. Now I've had a few good "Smart One" meals, however I just ate a disgusting one (the chicken florentine wraps, yuck!). I was wondering if you had any suggestions on ones you like.

Replies

  • apetty21
    apetty21 Posts: 137
    I know a lot of people look down on frozen meals but they literally saved my diet. I commuted 1 hour (one way) to work. Our "kitchen" only had microwaves. It just wasn't possible for me to have a "from scratch" lunch everyday. I absolutely love Lean Cusine meals. My favorite was the Classic Macoroni and Beef. They have added new meals recently and I liked most that I tried. I hate, hate, hate Healthy Choice. I tried their new fresh steamers and ohmygoodness they were so gross. Smart ones are ok but not as good as Lean Cuisine. Just keep in mind you compromise your sodium content with frozen.
  • fitzie63
    fitzie63 Posts: 508 Member
    All of those frozen entrees and "dinners" are extremely high in SODIUM (read the labels). Wherever salt goes, water follows and you weigh heavier due to retention.

    Fix your own little entrees at home in meal sized portions then pop 'em in the freezer. You fixed it so you'll know exactly what's in it and it's healthy. :)
    Claire
  • MaureenH39
    MaureenH39 Posts: 315 Member
    I like the Lean Cuisine market creations in the steam bag. I also like regular Lean Cuisine swedish meatballs. Smart Ones I like the fettuccine alfredo with broccoli, also the lasagna florentine(veggie lasagna)
  • NightOwl1
    NightOwl1 Posts: 881 Member
    Look at Lean Cuisine, Marie Calendar, and Smart Ones. My general rule of thumb is if you think the meal would be something you would like to eat if it wasn't a frozen dinner, then you should get it. A lot of the pasta ones with cheese (Ravioli, Five Cheese Pasta, Etc) are really good. I'm also a fan of Lasagna, but those can be a pain to cook/eat. If you like chicken, any sort of sesame, orange, or parmesan chicken is usually pretty good.

    I rely on frozen dinners pretty heavily, and I've dropped 10 pounds (half my goal). I drink a lot of water to help counteract the sodium levels.
  • SunLove8
    SunLove8 Posts: 693 Member
    Hmmmm, didn't think about the sodium content. Are there any good ones that have low sodium content? lol
  • MaureenH39
    MaureenH39 Posts: 315 Member
    Yep, high in sodium....for me personally, I was not overly worried about it. I ate them about 3, maybe 4 days a week for lunch and lost 29lbs. I have been maintaining for almost 2 months(actually lost 3lbs more while trying to maintain) and still eat them for lunch about 3 days a week.
  • LovingMe19
    LovingMe19 Posts: 380 Member
    My diet has pretty much strictly consisted of these frozen meals (Smart Ones, Lean Cuisine, and Healthy Choice.) Yes they do have a high sodium content, which in my opinion isn't outrageous. I manage to stay under my sodium limit every day eating these meals, and its not a HUGE deal if you go over, just drink lots of water to counteract it :) I love these meals, they make it so easy to track my calories since im such a busy person. And i've lost 21 pounds since early October!
  • abclightning
    abclightning Posts: 1
    I personally like the Smart Ones Three Cheese Ziti and Lean Cuisine's cheese Rav. I don't pay attention to the sodium content because I drink lots of water.
  • jen0619
    jen0619 Posts: 414
    Just look for dinners roughly under 650mg
  • apetty21
    apetty21 Posts: 137
    Hmmmm, didn't think about the sodium content. Are there any good ones that have low sodium content? lol

    Best thing is to just read the labels and decide what, for you, is too much sodium. A lot of days I was able to keep my sodium under for my day.

    If you are able to make fresh meals, great. Do that first. But if you can't, there's nothing wrong with them. Just read your labels. :smile:
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    Everyone has a solution that works for them, so I am not commenting on anyone else's choices. I personally have always found the "diet meals" to be an empty promise. I don't think you get much in the way of nutrition or "satisfaction" --i always feel like I've just eaten the carton instead of the meal.

    To replace fat and taste, they tend to load them up with sodium and sugar. Plus, they will stick to a standard "food pyramid" macronutrient ratio--which means you are getting a lot of empty carbs.

    That being said, you have to find solutions wherever you can, and, at times, they might fit the bill. I would just advise caution about relying on them too much--i.e. for a daily lunch.
  • aproc
    aproc Posts: 1,033 Member
    I've loved all of the frozen 'Amy's' meals.
  • funkyspunky871
    funkyspunky871 Posts: 1,675 Member
    Lean cuisine really is the best "diet" frozen meal. Healthy ones, as somebody said before, is GROSS. :) I don't eat them often, but I do have some in the freezer for those days when I've only got a few hundred left for dinner. Lol. My favorites are the Classic Macaroni and Beef and the Market Fresh Chicken Alfredo (in the steamer bag). They honestly don't taste "diet" at all. Love, love, love!

    P.S. I say to H3LL with sodium! I tried tracking sodium and sugars before, and I got so stressed out, I stopped eating. My family got all concerned, and I almost had to begin therapy for an eating disorder. I don't track anything but calories, fat, and saturated fat now. I'm pretty sure I go over on sodium my 1000's, but look at my ticker. Do you think it's mattered? :)
  • TheMaidOfAstolat
    TheMaidOfAstolat Posts: 3,222 Member
    It's very rare that I eat any frozen meals...but when I do I stick with Kashi (black bean mango is my fave) or Amys (my fave is the rice, black beans, and veggies).
  • funkyspunky871
    funkyspunky871 Posts: 1,675 Member
    Oh, and don't just limit yourself to the diet meals either. If you look at Stouffers and some of those other tv dinner brands, you can find a few that aren't bad at all. The calories are about the same, but the fat is occasionally doubled. I'd almost rather spend a few extra grams of fat for the Stouffer's spaghetti than for lean cuisine's spaghetti.
  • apetty21
    apetty21 Posts: 137
    It's very rare that I eat any frozen meals...but when I do I stick with Kashi (black bean mango is my fave) or Amys (my fave is the rice, black beans, and veggies).

    Oh I LOVE Kashi's vegetarian lasagna. Yum.
  • SunLove8
    SunLove8 Posts: 693 Member
    Lean cuisine really is the best "diet" frozen meal. Healthy ones, as somebody said before, is GROSS. :) I don't eat them often, but I do have some in the freezer for those days when I've only got a few hundred left for dinner. Lol. My favorites are the Classic Macaroni and Beef and the Market Fresh Chicken Alfredo (in the steamer bag). They honestly don't taste "diet" at all. Love, love, love!

    P.S. I say to H3LL with sodium! I tried tracking sodium and sugars before, and I got so stressed out, I stopped eating. My family got all concerned, and I almost had to begin therapy for an eating disorder. I don't track anything but calories, fat, and saturated fat now. I'm pretty sure I go over on sodium my 1000's, but look at my ticker. Do you think it's mattered? :)

    Wowsa! GREAT job on the weight loss! I'm so happy to hear that you chose the healthy path. You really made me stop and think about some things. Thank you for your wise advice and I hope you have a wonderful, Christmas (if you celebrate) and New year! Actually, I'm going to "friend" you, so watch out!! :)
  • SunLove8
    SunLove8 Posts: 693 Member
    Everyone has a solution that works for them, so I am not commenting on anyone else's choices. I personally have always found the "diet meals" to be an empty promise. I don't think you get much in the way of nutrition or "satisfaction" --i always feel like I've just eaten the carton instead of the meal.

    To replace fat and taste, they tend to load them up with sodium and sugar. Plus, they will stick to a standard "food pyramid" macronutrient ratio--which means you are getting a lot of empty carbs.

    That being said, you have to find solutions wherever you can, and, at times, they might fit the bill. I would just advise caution about relying on them too much--i.e. for a daily lunch.

    Thank you, and I agree. I don' want to rely on them too much. Just here and there when I kinda have to. :)
  • SunLove8
    SunLove8 Posts: 693 Member
    It's very rare that I eat any frozen meals...but when I do I stick with Kashi (black bean mango is my fave) or Amys (my fave is the rice, black beans, and veggies).

    Will try! I've always loved eating "Amys" frozen foods when I was a vegatarian; why not now? Never thought about it, for I keep thinking "diet" food....thank you :)
  • SunLove8
    SunLove8 Posts: 693 Member
    You ALL rock, thank you for all your thoughts, experiences and feelings about "frozen foods"! It really does help A LOT. Dang I LOVE this site!!!! <3
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