Frozen meals okay?

mitsvbishi
mitsvbishi Posts: 9 Member
edited November 17 in Health and Weight Loss
My calorie goal is 1650. Im trying to lose weight. Don't have a food scale or anything like that. Just haven't gotten to the point of meal prepping or anything like that. I have a blue collar job and im always on the road. Lately ive been eating a packet of weight control quaker oatmeal and a cook a lean cuisine or a smart made meal and put into a container for work. That puts me around 400-500 calories because I eat dinner with my family and its not always healthy stuff so i leave room but i also feel full from it. Would it be okay to eat frozen meals for lunch and dinner?

Replies

  • Libby283
    Libby283 Posts: 288 Member
    I eat a packet of oatmeal most days for lunch. I avoid processed foods mostly because of preservatives and sodium. But if they fit within your calories and give you the nutrients you need, by all means eat what you want.

    My diary is open to friends, so feel free to friend me to see my typical diet on much less calories than 1650.

  • lilithsrose
    lilithsrose Posts: 752 Member
    When I lost weight a few years ago, I ate a frozen meal or canned soup almost every single day for lunch and occasionally dinner. I lost a decent amount of weight at the time.

    My biggest suggestions when it comes to frozen meals would be to look for meals with a decent amount of protein and veggies. The ones with a lot of pasta tend to not be quite as filling. Also, I would suggest maybe eating a piece of fruit or some raw veggies on the side just to make sure you're getting fiber and vitamins. Some people do worry about the sodium content of frozen meals, but personally, I didn't care about it too much. Excess sodium can cause water retention. Just drink extra water each day to balance it out.

    I'm a big fan of Evol and Amy's brand frozen dinners. Healthy Choice tends to have some good options as well.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    If you aren't concerned about your sodium intake (as they can run pretty high), yes it's fine. Personally I go for the non-diet ones as I feel like Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice taste like cardboard.
  • PrincessMel72
    PrincessMel72 Posts: 1,094 Member
    I have a lean cuisine or smart ones every day during the work week. Totally works for me!
  • Taryan23
    Taryan23 Posts: 76 Member
    Totally fine; I started of my weight loss journey ONLY eating frozen meals.. it's whatever works for you and you see results from
  • phoenixx866
    phoenixx866 Posts: 173 Member
    I buy 2-3 frozen meals for lunch for the week. I also buy tuna (I really love the Lunch-To-Go by StarKist -- I'm having one today for lunch), and I also buy Campbell's soup. There's nothing wrong with processed food to eat. They're usually high in sodium so I make sure I always drink enough water when I have them!
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    I eat frozen dinners for lunch a couple times a week. Healthy Choice Steamers are good. I usually bring an extra serving of veggies to bulk them up and a piece of fruit for "desert." This way I get my fiber in.

    No need for frozen dinners at dinner time. Learn portion control for "regular" meals too. Maybe bulk the meals up with a serving of veggies if that's not included. Then work on putting these recipes in the MFP (Recipe Builder) - you can come really close for calorie counts. This is great knowledge for maintenance.

    2 frozen meals + a packet of oatmeal won't be nearly enough calories.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Yes. Totally fine.
  • mitsvbishi
    mitsvbishi Posts: 9 Member
    TeaBea wrote: »
    I eat frozen dinners for lunch a couple times a week. Healthy Choice Steamers are good. I usually bring an extra serving of veggies to bulk them up and a piece of fruit for "desert." This way I get my fiber in.

    No need for frozen dinners at dinner time. Learn portion control for "regular" meals too. Maybe bulk the meals up with a serving of veggies if that's not included. Then work on putting these recipes in the MFP (Recipe Builder) - you can come really close for calorie counts. This is great knowledge for maintenance.

    2 frozen meals + a packet of oatmeal won't be nearly enough calories.

    Yeah I know it's not enough. I try and find snacks throughout the day. I still have a really bad sweet tooth so its hard to resist my self from sweets everyday. Usually I end up giving in and go above my calories. I would have lost a lot more weight by now I think if I could control it. Otherwise I eat sweets but stay under my calorie goal but mess up on how much sugar I intake.
  • kenyonhaff
    kenyonhaff Posts: 1,377 Member
    I usually have a few frozen meals a week...portion controlled, convenient, and many are quite affordable.

    Pay attention to the features that really matter to you-- don't buy pasta meals if high carb leaves you groggy at 3 for instance.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited April 2017
    This content has been removed.
  • msdemeanor70
    msdemeanor70 Posts: 66 Member
    They are convenient and usually on sale somewhere. :smile: I eat a frozen meal for lunch 3-4 days a week. Healthy Choice Steamers is my go-to, but Smart Ones and Lean Cuisine are both decent for the price. Like others, I supplement with extra veggies most days. I also bring a couple pieces of fruit for mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks.
  • brittyn3
    brittyn3 Posts: 481 Member
    I LOVE lean cuisines. It's like a taste of comfort food, everyday!! I usually ate it with a 120 calorie salad. Now that it's getting warmer, I haven't been eating them. But man, there's a special place in my heart for lean cuisines. If you are worried about sodium - drink lot of water to offset it. mmmmm Salisbury Steak, Mac and Cheese, the Tamale I can keep going.
  • cozytimes
    cozytimes Posts: 111 Member
    i like frozen meals every now and then! especially if it's a dish that i want to eat or try and know the calories of. i personally love amy's tortellini and any meals from that brand.
  • ConnieT1030
    ConnieT1030 Posts: 894 Member
    Totally fine, unless you dont happen to like them. I eat them frequently.
    good way to monitor your calories since you dont have access to a scale as long as you have a good amount to lose. Just keep in mind when your deficit gets smaller (when you dont have that much left to lose, 20-25 pounds or less) you will need to weigh the portions, or else stay a bit under your total to allow for overage. That is, often prepackaged food contains a little more than what's printed, and you wont have room for the error, and will stop losing.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories