Frozen Meals ok???

They are terrible... but only because they taste like garbage. Nothing about them really is that bad nutritionally and if that is how you are able to keep to your calorie goals then so be it. There is nothing inherently "bad for you" about them, except perhaps the sodium level.

MNSchulz88 wrote: »

I keep getting told by countless people that Frozen Meals: Healthy Choice Steamers, Smart Ones, Kashi, Lean Cuisines ect are TERRIBLE!?!?! I eat 1 every day for lunch on a 1200 calorie diet this is vs the cafeteria 2,000 calorie lunch I used to eat........I make smart choices like ones that are high in protein and low in calories....am I sabatoging my new lifestyle change by eating these??????

Are you going over your sodium and carb intake??

Aviva92 wrote: »

I find the names of these things to be insulting to my intelligence. For that alone, no thanks. "healthy choice", "smart ones", "lean cuisines". this implies that it is a better choice than what I was already eating.

I have actually never taken it that way (not that I'm a big frozen meals eater)...I think the intimation is that they're healthier (whether this is true or not for any specific meal) than other frozen foods, not that they're healthier than something you'd whip up yourself.

Maybe they've improved since I last tried. But to me they were low in satisfaction, low in quality, and high in sodium.... and left me hungry (and bloated from sodium). So I gave up on all that prefrozen stuff. I also feel like someone with my limited income should be thriftier than that.

I don't particularly like ready meals, but I have them on occasion, if I'm desperate. I don't think they're that bad for you, apart from the sodium, but I can usually make something tastier, and if I'm pushed for time an omelette and salad is just as quick to make.

The only ones I like are from Marks & Spencer (UK store) from their 'Balanced for you' range which are supposed to be nutritionally balanced, and they actually taste good.

If they work for you, they are fine. Personally, I can't stand the sodium, taste, calories, and portion. I do much better cooking big batches of stuff and freezing or making a sandwich with sides

I agree with the rest - if you are staying under your sodium goal for the day then it's OK to eat these for lunch. Pick the healthier ones like Healthy Choice or Amy's (Amy's are all organic and have some interesting ethnic varieties to choose from).

I always have some in my freezer... I usually make my own lunches, but I'm no saint and forget some nights to prepare my lunch for the next day or I'm too tired. I stock up when they go on sale and they make an easy lunch on days that I forget to prepare one. So long as you're not living off them and they are within you daily guidelines, then you should be good to go.

Other than tasting like *kitten*, being loaded with sodium, and not all that filling they're fine. I'm a food snob though and pretty sure I wouldn't eat a frozen microwave meal even in an emergency...

I think they are ok most times but a lot off ppl don't like the sodium amount in frozen meals. Creating your own meals by prepping prob best

I wouldn't want to eat them all the time but some of them can be good. Rather have fresh food though. Just do what works for you

If you are eating at a calorie deficit and added sodium & sugar and many things you can not pronounce, are not a concern, go for it.

I ate a few of them when I first started MFP, but very quickly decided that I could prepare meals that taste better and have better nutrition benefits, and cost less, for my family and my self. Freeze individual portions and have them on hand for quick meals during the week.

They're fine, I just don't think they are filling at all for the calories is all, and too high in sodium.

I find them fantastic when I have a craving though.

I eat them when I have no alternatives other than something really bad for me. I find most of them have too much pasta or rice compared to the meat and veggies for me. I need something that will fill me up and keep me full. When I can, I also get a small bag of chopped or shredded lettuce and dump the cooked meal on it.

I have a few select brands that I absolutely love, they are preservative free and have limited ingredient lists and as far as I can tell are not different from me making meals myself and freezing them. And I find they are invaluable about once a week or so when I'm exhausted at the end of the day and not in the mood to cook but still want to sit down with my family and have a healthy dinner. It's sure healthier than the alternatives, at least for us. The alternatives tend to be my husband making dinner from a box or calling Domino's.

That said, I love salt and don't worry about sodium or constrain it. I know I eat lots, so I kept track and when I had my blood work done and my physical told my doctor I was eating at least twice the daily recommended allowance, sometimes more. He said my numbers looked good, I didn't have any problems associated with high salt intake, and that too much sodium is only a problem if you have high blood pressure or another problem. In other words, sodium wouldn't GIVE me problems, it would exacerbate existing problems, which I don't have, so not to worry. He said about a third of the populate doesn't seem to be affected by salt, so as long as I wasn't exhibiting any symptoms and by blood work continued to be great, have at it. So, ummm...(forgive me for what I'm about to do...) take my advice with a grain of salt.