The frozen food section in the grocery store is always an enticing aisle. It is filled with pre-made meals that make it easier to cook and it also lasts a long time, something that is of great value. This has become especially true through a pandemic, as many people are still trying to limit the number of trips they make to the supermarket. It is therefore no wonder that the demand for frozen food is increasing! But you want to make sure you build up the right frozen food. There are many options that are not so good for your health.
Among the healthy frozen fruits and vegetables, there are many pizzas, entrees, dinners and desserts that also lie along the freezer paths. To help you make the best choices if you have followed up in the grocery store, we’ve rounded up the worst culprits you see from the most common categories of foods you’re likely to encounter. This way you know exactly what are worst options for frozen food to never add to your basket. Stay away from these frozen foods, and rather eat one of the 7 healthiest foods to eat at the moment.
Per serving: 410 calories, 22 g fat (10 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 840 mg sodium, 36 g carbohydrates (2 g fiber, 4 g sugar), 17 grams protein
This frozen pizza from DiGiorno is one you will never want to touch. It contains a lot of calories, sodium and saturated fats while it does not contain fiber, and fiber is a nutrient that helps you stay satiated longer. It also has an ingredient list that is miles long. Nothing redeems here!
Per bak: 440 calories, 25 g fat (12 g saturated fat), 1470 mg sodium, 17 g carbohydrates (1 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 36 g protein
If you pop into a Bob Evans restaurant, then you know that the breakfast options are quite one of the best. The same can be said for the frozen meals that the chain sells. This bowl is full of sodium and contains more than 1400 milligrams.
Keep in mind The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams per day, and moves for an ideal limit of no more than 1,500 milligrams per day for most adults. And that 36 grams of protein? This is way too much, because ideally you do not want to eat more than 30 grams of protein per meal.
Per 1 serving: 210 calories, 9 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 510 mg sodium, 20 g carbohydrates (0 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 12 g protein
Some deboned chicken bites seem like a solid way to start a meal, especially when getting ready for a movie night or watching a football game. But you do not want to indulge in an appetizer that contains different types of sugars and a long list of preservatives, do you? This option gets a skip.
Per ete: 500 calories, 14 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 950 mg sodium, 77 g carbohydrates (6 g fiber, 29 g sugar), 17 g protein
The convenience of having your lunch ready within minutes is part of the frozen food. However, this sweet and sour chicken dish from Marie Callender is packing in terms of sodium and sugar. Here’s a little battered chicken tossed with vegetables, pineapple and a sweet and sour lemon sauce, all on top of rice. Although it contains a serving of solid proteins, it serves almost as much sugar as you would get if you ate three Original Glazed Donuts from Krispy Kreme. This is not scary!
Per serving: 380 calories, 12 g fat (7 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 320 mg sodium, 63 g carbohydrates (1 g fiber, 51 g sugar), 5 g protein
A pre-made pie takes all the work out, well, of having to bake a pie from scratch yourself! Not every pie is the same. This Lemon Meringue Crème option from Sara Lee, which you will find in the freezer, serves 51 grams of sugar per slice. That’s reason enough to leave it alone.
Look, if you happen to consume more sugars than the American Heart Association regularly recommends, you may end up gaining weight. Not only is there enough research related to sugar and weight gain, but you will find that sugary foods leave you less satisfied, so you will eventually eat more.
Per serving: 330 calories, 14 g fat (7 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 920 mg sodium, 34 g carbohydrates (1 g fiber, 3 g sugar), 14 g protein
Serving a spoonful of mac and cheese provides a hearty, comforting side dish. Heating Stouffer’s version means you want a wet dish again. It is much better to make your own. (And just so you know, this is the easy way to make healthier food!)
Per ete: 760 calories, 34 g fat (10 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 2090 mg sodium, 76 g carbohydrates (4 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 39 g protein
This Hungry-Man meal is one of the worst frozen dinner options you will find in any freezer aisle. This dish is made from two fried chicken patties served with mac and cheese. Sounds innocent enough, but the fact that it contains more than 2000 milligrams of sodium is just not OK. In addition, it contains 760 calories and also contains a lot of fat.
Per container: 1,380 calories, 84 g fat (45 g saturated fat, 2 g trans fat), 650 mg sodium, 134 g carbohydrates (1 g fiber, 106 g sugar), 29 g protein
Those ice cream cones are quite tempting and if you want to feast every now and then, you have to spoil yourself. As long as you stay away from Ben & Jerry (very popular) Chubby Hubby. That blend of fudge, peanut butter and pretzels makes for one frozen treat with lots of saturated fat, carbs and sugar. Just one serving of this ice cream contains more calories than you would get if you ate an order of McDonald’s nuggets and fries …