Good news for dieters who don't have time to cook a nutritious meal every day: frozen meals have come a long way since those TV dinners of rubbery Salisbury steak and watered-down mashed potatoes. Makers of the newest frozen meals have recognized consumers' desire for gourmet ingredients, rich flavor, fresh taste and health-conscious foods and they've created a delicious assortment of tempting meals that are both low-calorie and nutritious. When selecting a variety, consider that calories, protein, fiber, sodium and vitamins are all part of the healthy frozen meal equation.
Kashi Mayan Harvest Bake
With plantains, kale, pumpkin seeds and ancho sauce, this meal sounds more like the Saturday night special at a South American restaurant than a packaged meal sitting in your freezer. This frozen meal not only delivers exotic flavor but with 8 g of fiber, 9 g of protein and only 340 calories, it can help you lose weight. Bonus: at just 380 mg, the Mayan Harvest Bake is a low-sodium standout among frozen meals.
Amy's Kitchen Light in Sodium Vegetable Lasagna
Lasagna typically tops the list of off-limits foods for anyone trying to lose weight but Amy's makes this comfort-food classic healthier by lowering the sodium content to just 340 mg and delivering an impressive 15 g of protein. By packing the dish with organic vegetables and keeping the portion size reasonable, this frozen meal lets you indulge in comfort food for just 290 calories.
Kashi Black Bean Mango
The fiber and vitamin contents are the real standouts of this flavorful 340-calorie meal. With black beans, bell peppers, carrots, onions and a whole grain pilaf, it delivers 150 percent of the Recommended Daily Value (RDV) for vitamin A as well as 100 percent of the RDV for vitamin C. The beans, veggies and grains are mixed with a unique mango sauce to add flavor while keeping the sodium content in check at just 380 mg. The meal is rounded out with 7 g of fiber and 8 g of protein.
Seeds of Change Spicy Thai Peanut Noodles
Health-conscious eaters with a flair for exotic fare will appreciate that this Thai-influenced dish contains 17 g of protein to keep you feeling full and satisfied on just 350 calories. Thanks to the variety of colorful vegetables, including broccoli, carrots and chilies, the meal also contains plenty of vitamins, most notably vitamins A and C.
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