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You might believe that taking yourself to the grocery store for a meal is inherently better than going to the fast food drive-thru–and you would be right!–but before you go ahead and congratulate yourself for grabbing a pre-made frozen meals, hear these health experts out.
The nutritionists we spoke to universally *panned* frozen pasta dishes as being the one food you should avoid in the cold aisle. Why? Because asides from their high sodium and fat content, they don’t contain much else by way of nutrition. Here’s everything you need to know:
Frozen Pasta Dishes
“People should avoid frozen pasta dishes,” certified nutrition coach Elliot Reimers of Rave Reviews warns. “They’re unhealthy because they’re loaded with sodium and fats.”
“While delicious to eat, the creamy delicacy is very harmful for the body,” health manager Hannah Shine of HourGlass Waist explains. “It is loaded with sodium, which is required in low amounts and dangerous fats which can cause bloating and obesity,” she continues.
Frozen pasta dishes are not only made with the "usual, concerning, convenience food ingredients," nutritionist Lisa Richards of The Candida Diet warns, but they also contain refined and processed carbohydrates.
"These meals may seem filling on the surface and at initial consumption, but the refined nature of the carbs leaves you feeling full quickly after you finish," she tells us. This can leads to overeating throughout the day, she warns.
Lastly, they contain empty calories, meaning the ratio of important nutrients to calories is very low. If you eat these pasta dishes you are consuming mostly just carbohydrates and little vitamins or minerals.
"Foods like frozen pasta and lasagnas are better off left in the freezer and replaced with a whole grain, fresh meal," Richards concludes.
So, what should you eat instead? "It’s better to cook your own pasta dish so you have full control of the ingredients, such as nutritious vegetables," Reimers advises. "It also doesn’t take much time to boil pasta, so skip the frozen ones," he adds. So true!
"You should skip frozen foods with so many unhealthy ingredients and try your own fun pasta recipes at home," Shine agrees. "They are cheaper and let you have proper control on what is being added into your food. Homemade sauces or different vegetables can be added to enhance flavor and keep your food healthy."
