Frozen dinners often contain processed foods and high levels of sodium, making them relatively low on the list of foods that dietitians recommend for a healthy diet, according to "Contemporary Nutrition." However, if you are short on time and need a calorie-controlled meal to ensure that you adhere to your reduced-calorie diet, frozen dinners can be worked into a healthy diet to aid in weight loss, says "Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies."
Step 1
Calculate how many calories you burn each day. This can be achieved by calculating your resting metabolic rate as well as accounting for the calories burned by your normal activites. Add these figures together to determine the total number of calories you burn daily.
Step 2
Determine how many calories you need to consume each day to lose weight. To lose 1 lb. per week, subtract 500 calories from the total number of calories you burn daily. Subtract 1,000 calories from the total number of calories you burn daily if your goal is to lose 2 lbs. per week.
Step 3
Develop a meal plan based upon the total number of calories you need to consume each day to lose weight. Consult a dietitian if you struggle with this step.
Step 4
Purchase frozen dinners that work into your meal plan. For example, if you are allotted 400 to 450 calories for dinner, ensure that you choose a frozen dinner with a calorie content in that range.
Step 5
Add a filling, low-calorie side dish, such as a salad with fat free dressing or sugar free gelatin, to your frozen dinners to assist you in feeling full afterwards. Oftentimes, frozen dinners are relatively high in calories and contain a relatively small portion of food, leading to hunger shortly after consuming the meal.
References
- "Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies"; Frances Sizer; 2008
- "Basic Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; Staci Nix; 2005
- "Contemporary Nutrition"; Gordon M. Wardlaw and Anne M Smith; 2007
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