The Frozen Entree Diet

If you are dieting to lose weight, frozen entree meals can save a lot of time in food preparation and calculation of nutritional and calorie information. Frozen entrees are sold in many varieties, and they range from breakfast items to dinners and desserts. However, frozen entrees do not typically have as high a vitamin and mineral content as fresh food.

History

The history of the frozen entree diet is linked to the rise of the microwave oven and the fall of Western wages -- in real terms -- over the same period. As the cost of living has increased, median wages have not generally kept pace, leaving families less time to cook after completing long hours at one or more jobs. Frozen prepared meals, which can be microwaved in a matter of minutes, have greatly grown in popularity as people have become busier. Frozen meals first became popular after the Second World War and have remained popular to the present day.

Types

Several different types of frozen entree diets are possible. You may choose to replace one, some or all of your daily meals with frozen entrees, and these may be purchased at a supermarket or other store. Alternatively, certain brands and diet systems offer home delivery of frozen entree meals. Mass-produced frozen entree foods are sold in the United States under many brand names; these include Lean Cuisine, Smart Ones, Healthy Choice, Weight Watchers and Zone. Medical News Today reports that the typical nutritional balance of a diet-oriented frozen entree is roughly 30 percent protein, 30 percent fat -- with an emphasis on unsaturated fats -- and 40 percent carbohydrate. Some manufacturers of frozen entree meals offer vegetarian, kosher or halal options.

Effectiveness

As a tool for weight loss, a primary benefit of frozen entree meals is the inherent and strict portion control and nutritional data. Frozen meals typically come in a small, single-serving size, which limits the volume of food you eat in a single meal. The nutritional data on a frozen entree is precise, whereas calorie and nutrient estimation when cooking your own fresh food from multiple ingredients can be time-consuming and inaccurate.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of a frozen entree diet are its relatively high cost and high salt content. For the same quantity and quality of food, you would be able to purchase and prepare meals much more cheaply if they were not prepackaged. Additionally, the relatively high salt content of prepared food means that frozen entrees may not be appropriate for you if you are trying to limit or reduce your sodium intake.

Precaution

Even when you are restricting your daily calorie intake with the aim of losing weight, it is necessary to keep a safe minimum daily calorie consumption. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, no female should restrict daily calorie intake below 1,200 calories and no male should consume under 1,800 calories per day, unless this is done under specific medical advice and supervision.