Frozen foods have long been a topic of debate, with many questioning their nutritional value. However, it's not the freezing process that makes them unhealthy; it's the additives and ingredients that can be a cause for concern. While some frozen fruits and veggies are generally healthy, it's important to steer clear of certain frozen meals that are loaded with added sugars, sodium, and high-calorie sauces. Let's take a closer look at some of these frozen foods that you might want to avoid.
Red Baron Classic Crust Four Cheese Pizza:
At first glance, this pizza might seem like a convenient option, but it's important to consider the serving size. With four servings in one pizza, it's easy to consume a large portion. Nutrition professor Melissa Morris highlights the high calorie, fat, and sodium content, especially if you eat more than half the pie. A healthier alternative is to make your own pizza with a thin whole-grain or cauliflower crust, less cheese, and plenty of veggies.
Hungry Man Selects Classic Fried Chicken:
Morris describes Hungry Man dinners as nutritionally lacking, and the classic fried chicken meal is a prime example. With high calorie, fat, and sugar content, it's a less-than-ideal choice. A better option would be to grill some chicken breast and serve it with veggies for a much healthier meal.
Jimmy Dean Meat Lovers Breakfast Bowl:
This breakfast bowl might seem like a quick and easy option, but it's packed with sodium, which is not an ideal way to start your day. Morris suggests opting for a veggie-filled omelet with low-fat cheese instead.
Any'tizers Boneless Chicken Bites, Honey BBQ Flavored:
While these chicken bites sound tasty, researcher Bart Wolbers urges consumers to examine the ingredient list. With various types of sugars, sodium, and additives like polysorbate 80 and sodium benzoate, it's a long list of ingredients that might not be the healthiest choice. Each serving contains a significant amount of sugar and sodium, so it's worth considering a homemade alternative.
Tombstone Original Pepperoni Pizza:
Wolbers suggests taking a closer look at the ingredient list before buying this pizza. With 38 ingredients, it's a long and potentially concerning list. The inclusion of toxic vegetable oils, artificial flavorings, and preservatives might make this pizza less appealing. Each serving contains a high amount of fat and sodium, and the numerous ingredients can increase the addictive potential.
Stouffer's Macaroni & Cheese:
Mac and cheese should be a simple dish, but Stouffer's version is anything but. With multiple types of cheese, salt, wheat flour, and two different oils, it's a highly processed and rewarding dish for your brain. The high sodium and fat content, along with the added sugars, make it a less-than-ideal choice. Wolbers suggests making your own mac and cheese from scratch with fresh ingredients.
Jamba At Home Smoothies:
Personal trainer and nutritionist Jamie Hickey points out that smoothies don't need added sugar to be sweet. Jamba's overly sweet smoothies are a prime example of this. Hickey suggests making your own smoothies with unsweetened frozen produce like berries, pineapple, and spinach, giving you full control over what you consume.
Hungry-Man Selects Mesquite Flavored Classic Fried Chicken:
This frozen dinner might bring back nostalgic feelings, but it's packed with calories and fat. With over 1,000 calories and 72 grams of fat per serving, it's more than you should consume in an entire day. The high sodium content is also a concern, especially when compared to the daily recommendations.
Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken & Bacon Pot Pie:
Hickey advises caution with this pot pie, which is high in sodium, containing more than 60% of the daily recommended amount. Despite the nutrition facts being split into two servings, most people will likely consume the entire meal, which is a significant amount of calories and fat.
Pillsbury Toaster Strudel:
Hickey highlights that these pastries offer little nutritional value and contain high fructose corn syrup and soybean oil, which has been linked to rapid weight gain. With a high sugar content and a lack of essential nutrients, it's best to opt for a homemade breakfast option or a healthier alternative.
Stouffer's Bowl-FULLS Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta:
This product might boast about its protein and cheese content, but it's still a highly processed bowl of meat. With high calorie, sodium, fat, and sugar content, it's not the healthiest choice. Hickey suggests considering other options.
Sara Lee Chocolate Crème Pie:
This dessert might seem like a sweet treat, but it's packed with saturated fat and sugar. Morris compares the sugar content to spooning eight teaspoons of sugar into your mouth. With a fifth of the pie containing 32 grams of sugar, it's a significant amount. Morris suggests opting for a healthier dessert option, like fruit.
Evol's Gluten-Free Mac & Cheese:
Dr. Nikola Djordjevic warns that this frozen meal, marketed as healthy, is actually quite the opposite. With a high fat content, especially saturated fat, and additives like liquid smoke flavor, it's not the best choice. Making your own mac and cheese from scratch with fresh ingredients is a healthier alternative.
Jimmy Dean Pancakes and Sausage on a Stick:
Health expert Nate Masterson raises concerns about the ingredients in this unusual food item. With BHT, a possible carcinogen, and high levels of saturated fat and sodium, it's not the most nutritious option. A single serving contains a significant amount of sodium and saturated fat.
Stouffer's Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo:
This meal might seem like a convenient option, but Hickey points out that it's not very satisfying and contains high levels of calories, fat, sodium, and carbs. It's not a healthy choice, especially considering the small portion size.
Bob Evans Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Burrito:
The high saturated fat and sodium content in this breakfast item is a cause for concern, especially for those following a 2,000-calorie diet or at risk of heart disease. Morris advises being mindful of these levels.
Kellogg's Special K Flatbread Sandwich Sausage Egg and Cheese:
Similar to the Bob Evans burrito, this item contains a significant amount of sodium and added sugar. Morris compares the added sugar to sprinkling half a teaspoon of sugar on your sandwich, which might not be the healthiest choice.
Fast Fixin' Chicken Nuggets:
While the nutrition label might not raise immediate concerns, Hickey highlights two key issues. Many processed chicken products use fillers, and the serving size is relatively small, meaning you might not feel satisfied and end up consuming more calories.
Banquet Meatloaf Meal and Salisbury Steak Meal:
Both of these Banquet meals contain high levels of sodium and added sugar. Morris compares the added sugar to sprinkling almost three teaspoons of sugar on your meal, which is a significant amount. These meals might not be the best choice for a healthy, balanced diet.
Healthy Choice Café Steamers Frozen Dinner Sweet & Sour Chicken:
Despite the brand name, this meal contains a high amount of sugar, almost reaching the daily recommended intake for women. For men, it's about 60% of their daily allotment. It's important to be mindful of these levels when choosing frozen meals.
Bottom Line:
When buying frozen prepared foods, compare nutrition panels and opt for items with the fewest ingredients. Keep it simple and understand what you're putting into your body. If you're unsure about an ingredient, it might be best to avoid the product. Stay informed and make healthy choices!
