Frozen Dinners
In my humble opinion, there are two kinds of people in this world: those who eat to live and those who live to eat. I fall into the latter category. And I suspect that most readers of A Better Bag of Groceries do as well. Food – and the preparation of food – is part of my soul and I think that is why I have never been a frozen dinner person. Ever. I mean, ever. Even when I was flying from Boston into Chicago on a weekly basis for work, living in a little apartment for one, I cooked. Every Monday night, I walked over to the Potash Brothers Market, bought some fresh provisions and never did they include a frozen dinner.
Put that all aside…
There are people who eat to live. Food is just fuel for them. No big deal. I have a beautiful, impeccably fit, incredibly intelligent and amazingly accomplished friend. She is a working mother of two super children. Her idea of family dinner is chicken nuggets for the kids and a Lean Cuisine for herself. At times I envy her ability to be so low-key about it. But like I said, there are two kinds of people in this world.
So today’s post is for The Other People In This World. Those who buy frozen dinners!
There’s the good:
- Amy’s Brown Rice and Vegetable Bowl: NuVal score of 50
- Stouffer’s Lean Cuisine Roasted Turkey and Vegetables: NuVal score of 42
- Amy’s Tofu Vegetable Lasagna: NuVal score of 35
The Average:
- Weight Watchers Smart Ones Fajita Chicken Pizza: NuVal score of 20
- Birdseye Steamfresh Meals for Two Shrimp Alfredo: NuVal score of 20
And The Ugly:
- Hungry Man Grilled Bourbon Steak Strips: NuVal score of 10
- Lean Pockets Pepperoni Pizza Sandwiches: NuVal score of 4
So why no frozen dinners for me – even when it’s just me (which is very rare these days)? They leave me feeling hungry and later feeling bloated. According to Rachel Rodek, MS, RD, LDN, CSSD, and Nutrition Communications Manager at NuVal, more than half of the frozen dinners on the market contain over 600 mg per serving. Can you say puffy fingers?
As I said, my guess is that most ABBG readers have food in their soul. So I’m not sure that you will find today’s post all that interesting or relevant. You will have to let me know!
Posted by: Melissa 7 comments
Posted in: frozen dinners
Tags: frozen dinners
on Aug 30th, 2010 at 8:02 am
I am not one of those people that eat frozen dinners but I grew up on them! And let’s just say Amy’s wasn’t an option back then. Yikes!!
on Aug 30th, 2010 at 8:21 am
I buy frozen dinners on occasion to throw into my lunch box for a quick mid-day meal. But, I always cook dinner. I agree – food is too big a part of my life to allow someone else to handle it!
on Aug 30th, 2010 at 9:44 am
I very rarely eat frozen dinners. I have tried Weight Watchers and Lean Cuisine when hard core dieting. I find that I can do a lot better with my 6 points! Of course it takes much more time to prepare healthy options.
on Aug 30th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
I’m with Lindsay. I eat them sometimes — sometimes more often than I’d like. I’m at a point in my life where I still value convenience, so if it means a quick meal instead of spending an hour in the kitchen, I’ll eat it.
on Aug 30th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Oh my gosh Melissa – I think that picture says it all….I would rather open a can of tuna and toss it into a bowl of lettuce!!
on Aug 30th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
I couldn’t agree with you more. I will not eat a frozen dinner. I feel like I could cook the same thing with fewer calories and it would taste better. They also all seem to use so much pasta, I’d rather have more veggies. I love to eat, there’s no way I could consider what’s in a box a meal.
on Sep 1st, 2010 at 12:55 pm
I used to eat them when I was younger and lived with my parents……for those of you who have eaten them…..remember the mashed potatoes would come out in one solid clump? GROSS!!