If you live a busy life, you may rely heavily on the convenience of frozen food. After all, we don’t always have time to cook up a nutritious meal on a regular basis, and frozen meals are a simple fix for this problem. However, it’s important to note that this convenience oftentimes comes at the cost of your health. As it turns out, regularly consuming processed frozen foods could result in a number of consequences on your body. This is especially true when it comes to the health of your heart, as many popular options are loaded with sodium and other harmful ingredients that could clog your arteries and contribute to the risk of cardiovascular disease.
“Excessive sodium intake can contribute to high blood pressure, which, in turn, may increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis—a condition where the arteries can become clogged with fatty substances,” warns nutritionist Krutika Nanavati.
Just as with any other type of food, some options are worse than others. While there are frozen foods that may be just fine for your heart, there are several you should consider cutting out if you want to avoid clogged arteries and lower your risk of heart disease. We spoke to Nanavati to discover a few of the worst ones to avoid. She told us that frozen pizza, frozen fried foods, and TV dinners are best left on store shelves. Learn more about the risks of each below.
1. Frozen Pizza
There's nothing quite like a frozen pizza when you're craving it. And in addition to the deviously delicious taste of all that cheese and carbs, it's so easy to prepare on a busy night. Unfortunately, though, Nanavati warns that regularly eating this frozen food is a poor choice for your heart health.
"A staple in many households, frozen pizzas are often loaded with cheese and processed meats, making them incredibly high in sodium," she warns. "Furthermore, many popular brands have a thick crust that adds to the overall sodium content." Say it ain't so!
2. Frozen Fried Foods
Fried foods are one major culprit of clogged arteries and a higher risk of heart disease. Although they may be tasty, these foods are packed with unhealthy fats. In fact, Nanavati says that fried frozen foods should be avoided as much as possible if you're after a healthier heart.
"Frozen versions of popular deep-fried foods like French fries, chicken nuggets, and fish sticks can be quick and convenient meal options," she warns. "However, they are often heavily processed and contain high amounts of sodium that contribute to clogged arteries." Try stick to air fryer recipes for a healthy alternative.
3. TV Dinners
What's more convenient than a heat-and-eat meal complete with sides and dessert? Like the other items on this list, though, Nanavati says frozen TV dinners are a major offender of clogged arteries, posing a serious risk to the health of your heart.
"These all-in-one meals may seem convenient, but they often come with a hefty dose of sodium," she tells us. "Some popular brands have up to 50% or more of the recommended daily intake of sodium in just one serving." Yikes! It may be worth the extra time it takes to cook up a homemade meal.
The bottom line
While not all frozen meals are terrible for you, following Nanavati's advice and steering clear of these varieties is certainly a good idea for your cardiovascular health—and for your health in general. Instead of eating these unhealthy foods, she recommends choosing lower-sodium options whenever possible and stocking up on frozen fruits and veggies to save time on your meal prep. Another great option is to make large batches of nutritious meals when you have the time and freezing them to reheat later on busy nights.
All in all, remember to always check the nutrition label and be mindful of how the foods you're eating can impact your body—even if that means sacrificing some convenience for your health. It will be worth it in the long run!
