Lean Cuisine

2

Replies

  • Atarahh
    Atarahh Posts: 485 Member
    Healthy Choice are the best on sodium. They even have the All Natural variety now with no preservatives.
  • gigiangelique
    gigiangelique Posts: 233 Member
    these frozen foods also help me fill the void for foods like pizza pasta when I am having cravings or bored with veggies and chicken
  • traceracer
    traceracer Posts: 303 Member
    Honestly, for best nutrients and portion control, I suggest you make out your own frozen meals ahead of time if you can. Those meals are junk and for the nutrients and calories, you could be eating alot more and alot better if you do it yourself. Just my opinion....
  • Tracy9377
    Tracy9377 Posts: 73 Member
    I can eat one of those for lunch, and then eat lunch. They look great on the package, but I didn't find them filling or satisfying - maybe they would be, if I ate like 2 or 3 ... but then I would be negating the low calorie benefit. Without that, it's just a mediocre, salty, TV dinner.
  • Maryfullofgrace
    Maryfullofgrace Posts: 342 Member
    Honestly, for best nutrients and portion control, I suggest you make out your own frozen meals ahead of time if you can. Those meals are junk and for the nutrients and calories, you could be eating alot more and alot better if you do it yourself. Just my opinion....

    Agree whole heartedly. You can eat a whole lot more food if you make it yourself. And you probably will like it much better.

    If you do opt for Lean Cuisine, go across the aisle in the frozen food section and pick up a HUGE bag of frozen vegetables and add 2 cups to your lunch. Lean Cuisines don't put many vegetables in any of their dinners to even call it a portion of vegetables. Also take along a high protein yogurt for when you get hungry a few hours later.
  • Bentley2718
    Bentley2718 Posts: 1,689 Member
    If you want quick and easy but without all the sodium I'd suggest you try Amy's Kitchen. It's organic and they have lactose free, gluten free, light & lean, low sodium, vegetarian as well as non vegetarian entrees. They're a little more pricey than Lean Cuisine but they are totally worth it. Many of them you can heat up in the microwave, oven, or toaster oven. I like them best because they don't contain all the excess preservatives that many other frozen entrees do.

    Small correction: All Amy's Kitchen products are vegetarian. Some of their products contain dairy, but nothing they make contains eggs. The vegan, gluten free, etc. items are all clearly marked at the beginning of the ingredients. Also note that while many of Amy's products include some organic ingredients, they often contain non-organic ingredients, particularly non-organic dairy.

    I eat these once in a while as a matter of convenience. They're fairly good, they are generally high in sodium and I haven't liked the few low sodium ones I have tried. Also, while they are more expensive than things like Lean Cuisine, they are generally less expensive than going out to lunch.
  • crzyone
    crzyone Posts: 872 Member
    I prefer the Weight Watchers Smart ones in taste and they are a dollar less at Walmart than the Lean Cuisine. I usually have one at lunch when I'm at work along with a salad because I feel the need for something more than a salad and this helps me stay accountable with calories and portion. I hope to be able to control portions soon so won't have to worry about that, but for now..when it's about "portion control" for me, I choose to do those for lunch sometimes. I have to try to watch sodium in other things though when I do that.

    Someone on this site was also posting a few days ago about how you can cook vegetables and pour these dinners over it and it tastes like the vegetables are part of the meal so that it's more filling and you get extra veggies. I like that idea, too.

    Good luck on your journey.
  • courtclerkkris
    courtclerkkris Posts: 173 Member
    I eat at least one or two weekly. They're not great...It's just convenient. Everyone mentions the sodium, but I have never went over my sodium "goal" due to a microwave dinner....I eat the Healthy Choice ones btw, not Lean Cuisine. :smile:
    Ditto this. I too eat one or two a week. But I prefer Smart Ones. I don't really eat much else that is high in sodium so I don't consider that a factor to keep me from eating them. Just track you food and make sure not to go over and you will be ok.
  • CrystalMarie253
    CrystalMarie253 Posts: 128
    I used to get Lean Cuisine for lunch but I like the Smart Ones better now.
  • szimba
    szimba Posts: 290 Member
    I don't really like them. They are too processed, have lots of salt and I'm always still hungry when I'm finished!
  • vcreinert
    vcreinert Posts: 83
    I eat them regularly. Between that and what I cook, I don't have any issues.
  • SusanMcAvoy
    SusanMcAvoy Posts: 445 Member
    My husband and I eat lean cuisines often. We add frozen veggies to the meal to make it more filling. We Love love lean cuisines. As long as you watch the sodium in your other foods you should be OK. The Salmon Basil dinner is awesome. So isn't the Chicken Fettuchini.
  • asamuels85
    asamuels85 Posts: 170 Member
    Personally i have one EVERYDAY.. (at least one of the brands of low-cal frozen meals)
    It is better to make your own, as others have said. I have been dying to spend one sunday preparing and vacuum sealing a ton of "frozen dinners" . Relying on them for nutrition facts, portion control, and only a few minutes in the microwave after the gym is WAAAY easier. :)
  • darlilama
    darlilama Posts: 794 Member
    Yes, I eat Lean Cuisine - or Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers - 3 times a week at work for lunch. I tend to stick with the ones that are <300 calories, typically around 220-270, and I usually eat a piece of fruit, some carrot sticks, or maybe a light yogurt with them. It works for me. I'm busy during the day at work, usually eat at my desk, and I think it's much better than many fast food options or the vending snacks!
  • erxkeel
    erxkeel Posts: 553 Member
    A better choice than fast food, but its still processed. :sick:
  • Gretchen27
    Gretchen27 Posts: 82 Member
    I have them every now and then but I make sure to pair it with extra veggies, they can be scarce even when it says "Veggies" and "Broccoli" something or other.
  • thepanttherlady
    thepanttherlady Posts: 258 Member
    I eat them on a daily basis and some are quite good. Right now I've been eating the "Eating Right" brand. I haven't had a problem with being hungry afterwards but will agree with another OP that the Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers are really filling.

    Another OP suggested Subway but please note that the sodium is much higher in one of their sandwhiches (depending on which sandwhich you get) than one of these meals. I have never gone over in my sodium because of them. :)
  • boobee32
    boobee32 Posts: 450 Member
    Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers are by far the best to me. I eat one every day for lunch. They are usually under 500 mg of sodium, and they fill me up with a side salad. When I was a member last year, I ate them also for lunch. I lost about 25 lbs.
  • iuew
    iuew Posts: 624 Member
    i have eaten a lot of them; they were a big part of the diet part of my weight loss. during maintenance, i have eaten a lot of them as well (and smart ones / healthy choice.)

    i will say that a lot of them are really decent. i've found that most benefit from additional seasonings, however. i can transform a spaghetti lean cuisine pretty effectively with salt, oregano, and garlic powder. if salt is a problem, there are a lot of other seasonings that you can try. i find it fun to experiment with them.
  • Harmony14
    Harmony14 Posts: 21
    i used to eat different varieties - lean cuisine, ww, smart ones, etc. but found that even when i added extra veggies, i was hungry soon after. after i started learning about additives and really paying attention to food labels, i decided i would rather do up a little roast or several chicken thighs on sunday and use those along with frozen or fresh veggies (depending on the time of year), to make up my own meals through the week. very little work and much tastier results, plus wayyyy cheaper in the long run. it really comes down to what you are looking for - they are great for convenience, possibly helpful for portion control, but there are workable alternatives that don't have all the sodium, sugar, msg or other additives
  • Monisfit4life
    Monisfit4life Posts: 228 Member
    That is what I was thinking. A couple of years ago I did Jenny Craig for quite a few months and that was processed food 3 times a day! I don't plan to do that this time at all. I was thinking about Lean Cuisine for lunch maybe 2-3 times a week and my own food or subway the other days. I am trying to stop going to the expensive eateries that I have been going to for lunch that are not as healthy. I will be taking leftovers when I cook which is not as often due to my hectic work schedule.
  • demonkitten
    demonkitten Posts: 6
    i nearly live off of frozen meals... lean cuisine is pretty good.
    i think smart ones is my favorite brand tho!
  • Monisfit4life
    Monisfit4life Posts: 228 Member
    I eat them a few times a week for dinner. they are high in sodium, but if you eat fresh and healthy other parts of the day it won't matter at all. I like the pepperoni pizza and chicken enchilada suiza the best if you're looking for suggestions :)

    That is what I was thinking. A couple of years ago I did Jenny Craig for quite a few months and that was processed food 3 times a day! I don't plan to do that this time at all. I was thinking about Lean Cuisine for lunch maybe 2-3 times a week and my own food or subway the other days. I am trying to stop going to the expensive eateries that I have been going to for lunch that are not as healthy. I will be taking leftovers when I cook which is not as often due to my hectic work schedule.
  • MsBaby117
    MsBaby117 Posts: 201 Member
    I keep them in the freezer for times when I'm in a hurry and don't get to pack my lunch (or when I'm too lazy to cook dinner)...I don't eat them a lot but they are convenient for times like that. I just make sure I drink a ton of water when I do to help flush out the sodium...
  • kcgslp
    kcgslp Posts: 203 Member
    I do them more often than I should but, it's a quick, satisfying, low calorie meal. If you get the SPA CUISINE they are lower in sodium, and use more natural ingredients and less preservatives. Also I buy the Healthy Choice Natural Steamers (sodium is even lower).

    I will eat one of those with a side salad and lots of water!
  • susanloveszumba
    susanloveszumba Posts: 182
    i eat a lean cuisine almost every day at lunch. i very rarely cook anymore so usually dont have leftovers to take for lunch. its the convenience thing for me. i am always running late and just need something quick!
  • plt55
    plt55 Posts: 111 Member
    i use convience foods like that all the time the sodium does not bother me Yes I like my meals better . When only 2 of us at house and both dieting they help. Yes I like my cooking better but dont always want to anymore .Add an extra veggie or salad yala dinner
  • kcgslp
    kcgslp Posts: 203 Member
    i nearly live off of frozen meals... lean cuisine is pretty good.
    i think smart ones is my favorite brand tho!

    Unfortunately....Smart Ones have the most sodium :(
  • MariaAlbinaxoxo
    MariaAlbinaxoxo Posts: 290 Member
    sometimes but I mostly eat Smart Ones or Lean Pockets :)
  • swiviol
    swiviol Posts: 22 Member
    They tend to not fill me up that much, but I do like the pizzas (round ones) as well as Smart Ones pizza and the Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers.
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