Frozen foods have improved dramatically in recent years and offer much versatility. You can find a wide array of frozen food selections including ethnic meals and healthy cuisines. Not only convenient, calorie- and portion-controlled frozen options can be found in most supermarkets. CBS News recommends choosing frozen foods with fewer than 500 calories and where sodium is less than 30 percent of the daily recommendation of 2300mg for healthier choices. Always read labels and ingredient lists when looking for healthy and convenient frozen foods.
Frozen Vegetables
Frozen vegetables are a convenient way to fill up fast and receive loads of nutrition. Vegetables are naturally low in calories, sodium and fat, and contain a rich supply of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Some of the nutrients founds in vegetables include high dietary fiber, carotenoids, folate, potassium and phytochemicals, which can help prevent diseases. The National Frozen Foods Foundation also reports that studies have found frozen vegetables to contain much of the same nutrients as their fresh or canned counterparts, and more nutrients in some cases. Processing of frozen vegetables usually starts within hours of harvesting to lock in their nutrients.
Frozen Entrees
You can find various frozen entrées in your local supermarket, with unique varieties and low calories. Along with low calories, look for frozen entrees that have low-sodium and low-fat.The Mayo Clinic recommends not exceeding 2,300mg of sodium a day if you're a healthy adult; consider that just one teaspoon of salt has 2,325mg of sodium. Some of the healthier brands for frozen entrees have more than 120 varieties to choose from, making it easier to find something you'll like.
Frozen Desserts
If you have a sweet tooth, low-calorie frozen desserts also exist. From low-calorie sorbet to ice cream bars, low-calorie desserts come in many varieties. If you enjoy ice cream, for example, slow-churned ice cream options often contain half the fat and less calories than their conventional counterparts. The New York Times calls the slow-churned and double-churned ice cream options more than just a marketing scheme, but a process called low-temperature extrusion, which significantly reduces the size of the fat globules and ice crystals in ice cream resulting in less fat and calories. Take note of the nutrition and ingredient lists of frozen products to make the healthiest choices.
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