Frozen meals

afhcreate
afhcreate Posts: 17 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I make my own lunches, usually yogurt and fruit. But gets boring. What do you all think of low cal frozen meals? For example Healthy Choice. Do they provide good nutrients and energy ?
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Replies

  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    They are convent to log. I like that they require no clean up.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    Frozen meals are fine. They are frozen.. that is convenient and kind of cheap! They still can lack in weighing to be either over or under the calories on the box.

    Frozen meals have to be preserved in order to stay "fresh" and have long shelf lives. I personally gave up all frozen dinners along time ago. Added sugar, sodium an preservatives are something I would like to avoid when totally unnecessary.
  • Karen_can_do_this
    Karen_can_do_this Posts: 1,150 Member
    Whenever I'm doing an afternoon shift (3pm - 11pm) I'll bring one of them with me to work. They are super convenient and some taste really good!!!
  • lbride
    lbride Posts: 248 Member
    I love frozen foods, but always try to get the ones higher in protein so that I'm not starving. I prefer the breakfast ones (egg burritos, jimmy deans turkey sausage, egg and cheese muffins, etc). Those are usually high protein and easy to pair with a bag of salad or something.
  • dizzieblondeuk
    dizzieblondeuk Posts: 286 Member
    They are useful as a backup, when you just don't have time for anything else. I actually don't buy frozen meals, rather I get the ready meals that are able to be frozen. The good brands (Marks and Spencers, Waitrose etc) have decent quality ingredients (especially the meat, which can be potentially dodgy in other brands - low quality chicken, Tesco horsemeat anyone?!!!), no preservatives etc, but the 'freezable' sign on the pack allows for long storage. Often they can be cooked from frozen, if not, I'm usually prepared enough that I can whip something out of the freezer in the morning, and it'll be defrosted ready for use by the evening. I'm aware the salt content is always going to be higher than homemade food, but once in a while is OK for me, as my sodium intake is very low normally. I always scan the aisles for the discount stickers when I'm shopping, so I can pack one or two meals away in the freezer for occasional use. When the meals are half price, or even less, it works out economical to have them as standbys.

    BTW, the American choices for ready meals are pretty awful - finding anything with a decent veg content is near impossible, IMO! The UK supermarkets seem to have gotten pretty good at raising the quality of prepared meals (although some horrors still remain). There are even some high end brands, like the Heston Blumenthal range in Waitrose, that's approaching restaurant quality for taste and presentation! Expensive though!
  • bellabonbons
    bellabonbons Posts: 705 Member
    I love the marketplace organic frozen entrees by lean cuisine they are delicious and very healthy.
    Also Amy's organic frozen meals. No harmful additives or artificial ingredients makes them taste very close to homemade. I took nutrition courses in college. What I learned about Artificial colors , flavors, and additives scare me and I don't want them in my body.
  • megomerrett
    megomerrett Posts: 442 Member
    I bulk cook at home stuff like bolognaise, shepherd's pie, lasagne, various stews etc and freeze them in portions for either 2 adults or my whole family - cheaper than buying ready meals and you can add as meals in MFP.
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    I just bought a bunch! They are handy and convenient and many of them taste great! I don't eat the them every day but I like having some in the freezer for when I need something easy. Lean Cuisine, Stouffers, Healthy Choice ...all have great options with good nutritional content and taste way better than NutriSystem imho. And way cheaper!
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    i really like the amy's Black bean enchilada meal (1 enchilada, rice and beans), Amy's mushroom risotto, and a few of the morningstar farms/faux meat products i can find in my local supermarket.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    I think frozen meals are the opposite of what you're looking for if you want good nutrition and avoid boredom. They are mostly for convenience. Why don't you look around for recipes to extend your repertoire?
  • KzooRichie
    KzooRichie Posts: 7 Member
    I love the evol frozen meals. IMO they are pretty spendy at ~ $5.00 in my area, but they had a 4 week sale at 2 for $7. I stocked up.

    They are without a doubt the best tasting frozen lunches I have ever had. The are very sound nutritionally, and a rarity in prepared food not high in sodium.

    Amy's is good also.
  • RespectTheKitty
    RespectTheKitty Posts: 1,667 Member
    Another fan of Amy's meals. They're delicious.
  • lisaepell
    lisaepell Posts: 103 Member
    Amy's Light and Lean meals are great - my go-to lunch.
  • KzooRichie
    KzooRichie Posts: 7 Member
    Oops. I had the brand name wrong in my post above. Luvo are the meals I love. evol are good too, but I have not paid much attention to their nutrition.
  • stephinator92
    stephinator92 Posts: 162 Member
    I used to exclusively eat frozen meals (Lean Cuisine, Smart Ones, Hot Pockets...) and my stomach became VERY upset daily. It was nonstop. I saw a nutritionist and she recommended I eliminate them from my diet as a result of the preservatives, etc. that are in them and I immediately started to feel better. Obviously my experience is exclusive to me- but if you start eating those meals and notice feeling sick, cut them out.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    KzooRichie wrote: »
    Oops. I had the brand name wrong in my post above. Luvo are the meals I love. evol are good too, but I have not paid much attention to their nutrition.

    Oh that's funny I was going to second the recommendation for Evol - I haven't seen Luvo. I think Evol are more filling than Healthy Choice or Lean Cuisine (naturally, they have about 100 - 150 extra cals) and often more unique selections. I like the Healthy Choice steamers and the Lean Cuisine spa selections but I find them to be not as filling and often lacking in protein - so a lot of times I will bring a bag of precooked chicken strips and add those to the meals as well, or sometimes grab a salad from the work cafeteria.

    I prefer my own homemade food, usually leftovers from a previous nights dinner, but I keep a stash of frozen meals for weeks when I haven't had time to cook much. The calorie count is lower than my meals so it leaves me room for a mid afternoon snack like a Chobani Flip or something.

  • NewMeSM75
    NewMeSM75 Posts: 971 Member
    I find them to be convenient and most are good. I will say that if I prepare my own, it seems as if I have more food. I am able to pick out more foods that are healthier but overall, I enjoy frozen meals. Smart ones are my favorite. I know that have sodium but if you have not issues with sodium, I don't see a problem.
  • erinc5
    erinc5 Posts: 329 Member
    lisaepell wrote: »
    Amy's Light and Lean meals are great - my go-to lunch.

    Agreed. I love the mac and cheese (just had it for lunch, actually) and the asian noodles.

    They are not my "go-to" though. I use them as backup if I don't have any lunchmeat, tuna, or leftovers lying around. They are convenient and prevent me from buying lunch if I haven't planned ahead. And buying lunch out costs too much $$ and calories.
  • PaulaWallaDingDong
    PaulaWallaDingDong Posts: 4,641 Member
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    I think frozen meals are the opposite of what you're looking for if you want good nutrition and avoid boredom. They are mostly for convenience. Why don't you look around for recipes to extend your repertoire?

    Personally, frozen meals helped me to develop an appreciation for different veggies and flavor profiles. Sure, the "real deal" version of each variety will be different from the frozen version, but just having the variety easier to access can be helpful.
  • Linzon
    Linzon Posts: 294 Member
    I normally don't eat them but I just had surgery and Lean Cuisines have been helpful as a backup when I don't feel like cooking. Definitely not as filling as what I'm used to, and I notice on the package it suggests pairing it with fruit or a salad to make it a full meal, which I've been doing.
  • NewMeSM75
    NewMeSM75 Posts: 971 Member
    Linzon wrote: »
    I normally don't eat them but I just had surgery and Lean Cuisines have been helpful as a backup when I don't feel like cooking. Definitely not as filling as what I'm used to, and I notice on the package it suggests pairing it with fruit or a salad to make it a full meal, which I've been doing.

    I agree. When I bring a frozen meal, I will also bring a side salad with a light vinegarette.
  • checkmatekingtwo
    checkmatekingtwo Posts: 118 Member
    I find canned soup is good for variety, too. Campbell's has a line of Home Style soups that make a good lunch. Plus they even have an organic line (not for me, but you might like it), and a Healthy Request line, which just basically means its lower in sodium. I vary between the soup, frozen meals, and meals I make from home. Variety is nice!
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    I think frozen meals are the opposite of what you're looking for if you want good nutrition and avoid boredom. They are mostly for convenience. Why don't you look around for recipes to extend your repertoire?

    For many of us it is a matter of ease and convenience esp. if the day doesn't go as planned and I do not have time to prepare a hot lunch to take to work with me. If frozen meals aren't your thing, they aren't. I prefer home cookin' myself, but when I'm in a bind and need something hot to eat, fairly quickly, especially at work where all we have is a fridge/freezer and a microwave, frozen meals are a godsend.
  • Tubbs216
    Tubbs216 Posts: 6,597 Member
    dizzieblondeuk wrote: »
    They are useful as a backup, when you just don't have time for anything else. I actually don't buy frozen meals, rather I get the ready meals that are able to be frozen. The good brands (Marks and Spencers, Waitrose etc) have decent quality ingredients (especially the meat, which can be potentially dodgy in other brands - low quality chicken, Tesco horsemeat anyone?!!!), no preservatives etc, but the 'freezable' sign on the pack allows for long storage. Often they can be cooked from frozen, if not, I'm usually prepared enough that I can whip something out of the freezer in the morning, and it'll be defrosted ready for use by the evening. I'm aware the salt content is always going to be higher than homemade food, but once in a while is OK for me, as my sodium intake is very low normally. I always scan the aisles for the discount stickers when I'm shopping, so I can pack one or two meals away in the freezer for occasional use. When the meals are half price, or even less, it works out economical to have them as standbys.

    BTW, the American choices for ready meals are pretty awful - finding anything with a decent veg content is near impossible, IMO! The UK supermarkets seem to have gotten pretty good at raising the quality of prepared meals (although some horrors still remain). There are even some high end brands, like the Heston Blumenthal range in Waitrose, that's approaching restaurant quality for taste and presentation! Expensive though!
    I agree with this. A ready-meal was a bit of a treat when we were still in the UK, especially when it was something like a Tesco Finest one, or something scrummy from Waitrose. When we moved to Canada, eating ready meals felt like punishment for being too lazy to cook for myself. They haven't improved much in the 13 years we've been here, unfortunately.
  • Colorscheme
    Colorscheme Posts: 1,179 Member
    edited May 2016
    I eat ready meals every day with no issue. Two things to keep in mind:

    -weigh it just to make sure the serving size is what it says it is. My frozen pizza weighed more than the package said it should
    -keep the sodium in check if you have high blood pressure [if not, no worries]

    I am lazy, I get tired easily and I don't feel like cooking most of the time so I always have 4-5 freezer meals ready to go. I pick the flavors I like the most and I never get bored with it.

    I don't eat more than one frozen meal a day, though. I eat one every day for lunch. Breakfast and dinner aren't ready meals.
  • MorganMoreaux
    MorganMoreaux Posts: 691 Member
    Nothing wrong with that. I keep a few Amy's enchiladas and a few of their bean burritos in the freezer for days when I get home late. Quick and easy and kind of a treat to not have to cook.
  • joolie1234
    joolie1234 Posts: 126 Member
    I just ate healthy choice pumpkin ravioli for dinner, it was pretty decent. I agree, they should not be eaten all the time, but like having them in the freezer for when I'm in a pinch, time- or calorie-wise. I like the cafe steamers in particular. I do tend to mix in an extra serving of vegetables.
  • karahm78
    karahm78 Posts: 505 Member
    In addition to Amy's and evol, I have developed an appreciation for Blake's Naturals meals, I get mine at Target. Good stats, great flavor, and minimally processed. More expensive than Healthy Choice but worth it. Really like the chicken pot pie, shepards pie, and Swedish meatballs.

    Lots of good choices at Trader Joes too!
  • mathiseasy
    mathiseasy Posts: 165 Member
    Just another +1 to Amy's, I basically lived on the pizza pockets in college

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