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It’s no secret that busy routines call for quick meals in a pinch. While it’s key to stock up on your frozen favorites at the grocery store for convenience sake, you should really think twice before adding certain frozen foods into your cart.
Following a few simple tips and tricks can make choosing the right frozen foods a lot easier. In an interview with Real Simple, registered dietitian Amy Shapiro shares her go-to tips for shopping in the frozen food aisles at the grocery store. “For complete meals, I recommend products with less than 600 calories per meal, depending on your needs and goals. Sodium should be under 600 milligrams as well,” Shapiro explains. “Saturated fat should always stay under 7 percent of your total daily value. And always keep added sugar at a minimum– aim for as low as possible here, ideally under 10 grams.”
Some of your favorite frozen foods can quickly lead to bloating and unwanted belly fat, according to experts. Without further ado, let’s dive into the top four frozen foods that can cause instant weight gain.
First thing’s first, let’s talk about breakfast. It’s better to whip up a fresh egg in a few minutes rather than zapping up a frozen breakfast bowl and we’ll tell you why. Jimmy Dean’s Meat Lovers Bowl is packed with potatoes, sausage, egg, cheddar cheese, and bacon. Sounds delicious, right? Well, its nutritional facts aren’t quite as appetizing. This hearty breakfast bowl contains 480 calories, 15 grams of saturated fat, and 1,280 milligrams of sodium. Yikes!
Next up is probably your favorite frozen food: frozen pizza. We know frozen pizzas offer a quick and easy way to feed lots of mouths, but they’re also loaded with tons of calories….sigh. Luckily, you don’t have to skip frozen pizza altogether when you’re smart about the frozen pizza that you choose. In an interview with TODAY, registered dietitian Ryan Whitcomb recommends opting for cauliflower pizza. “I love cauliflower pizza, so this is a great alternative to a traditional pie as it has fewer calories,” Whitcomb shares. Duly noted!
Another popular frozen food item is a big bag of frozen chicken nuggets and tenders. According to registered dietitian Dana Angelo White for Food Network, chicken nuggets average 30 to 50 calories and 2 to 4 grams of fat per piece, and a serving of nuggets can contain up 400 to 500 milligrams of sodium. A better option is to cook up a fresh piece of grilled chicken in under 15 minutes.
And what pairs well with hot steamy chicken? French fries of course! However, just like chicken nuggets, frozen french fries aren’t the healthiest frozen food option for you either. As Livestrong simply puts it, french fries can be packed with excessive fat, sodium, and calories, all of which can lead to weight gain.
What are some of your favorite healthy frozen food options? Let us know your go-to picks in the comments below.
