Smart Shopping for Frozen Entrees

Frozen entrees have come a long way since the time they were called "TV dinners" some 50 years ago, and featured such delicacies as high-sodium Salisbury steak with something that resembled gravy and mashed potatoes along with a touch of vegetables.

Today the supermarket has two or more aisles of frozen offerings, with choices ranging from lean cuisine and healthy diet meals to filling and tasty dishes such as beef Stroganoff and chicken Parmesan. They have become so chef-friendly it is common for today's hard working diners to simply shove an entree into the microwave and in minutes enjoy a meal fit for a king or queen.

There are plenty of tempting meals offered to the vegetarian, organic eater, ethnic connoisseur or conscious dieter. But they can be tricky and still be high in sodium or rich in fat.

What to Look for

There are many great-looking entrees in the frozen aisle that offer health and diet advantages. But they don't taste so hot. The key is to find a good balance. Some frozen entree aficionados can tell just by looking at the package. Others still have to do some experimenting. Look for the meal you want, but also the content that keeps you healthy. Diet experts advise you to look for meals with less than 30 percent of total calories from fat. Be particularly conscious of saturated fat, which should make up less than 10 percent of calories. Sodium content in some frozen meals can have more than a thousand milligrams. Try to look for choices no more than 200 milligrams, and certainly less than 800.

Regardless of your appetite, a good rule is to pick frozen entrees that include plenty of vegetables. Some may only have a small amount. Others can contain an adequate one-cup portion for healthy adults.

Common Pitfalls

There are tempting frozen entrees that contain more than 2000 calories. Some can contain less than 200, but it all depends on the shopper's needs. Experts suggest you choose dinners that range between 300 and 500 calories. Still, some wise dieters point out that you have to satisfy your appetite, so you won't feel hungry later and end up ruining your diet. For those fortunate people who want to gain weight, it is a good idea to find a healthy, well-balanced entree with a reasonable number of calories and low fat, especially saturated fat.

Whatever your goals, avoid consuming too many frozen dinners. In recent years, nutritionists have marveled at the great dietary improvements of many entrees. But frozen meals can never replace fresh vegetables and foods hot from the oven.