Lean Cuisine offers a variety of pre-made meals ready to be heated and consumed, including "casual cuisine," "comfort cuisine" and "dinnertime favorites." While most of these meals do contain some heart-healthy fat, protein, fiber and essential vitamins and minerals, some also deliver a large amount of unwanted saturated fat and sodium.
Fat
Some Lean Cuisine meals contain a large amount of fat, and a great deal of this is often saturated. One package of Asiago Cheese Tortelloni, for example, contains 7 g of total fat, of which 4 g are saturated. This fulfills approximately 20 percent of the daily value for saturated fat based on a 2,000-calorie diet. While unsaturated fat has beneficial effects on blood cholesterol, saturated fat increases "bad" cholesterol, so limit it in your diet.
Protein
Many Lean Cuisine meals contain a considerable amount of protein, which helps keep you satisfied after eating by holding food in the stomach for a long period. One package of Chicken With Almonds, for example, contains 16 g of protein, which is about 29 percent of the protein a 150-lb. person needs daily. Adequate protein is important in maintaining a healthy weight, as you will avoid consuming too many calories if you feel satisfied.
Carbohydrates
Both simple and complex carbohydrates are found in Lean Cuisine meals. One package of Chicken with Almonds, for example, contains 38 g of total carbohydrate and 4 g of fiber. Simple carbohydrates, such as those found in noodles and white rice, are digested quickly and leave you hungry soon after, so try to limit them. Conversely, complex carbohydrates such as fiber fill you up. Most Lean Cuisine meals contain a fair amount of fiber, making them a healthy choice in this regard.
Vitamins and Minerals
Some Lean Cuisine meals contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals, while others are not quite as high. One package of Butternut Squash Ravioli, for example, contains 90 percent of the daily value for vitamin A, 20 percent for calcium and 15 percent for vitamin C. It also, however, contains 28 percent of the daily value for sodium, which you should limit in your diet due to the increased risk of heart disease when consumed in excess.
References
- Lean Cuisine: Lean Cuisine Butternut Squash Ravioli
- Lean Cuisine: Nutrition Facts - Asiago Cheese Tortelloni
- American Heart Association: Know Your Fats
- LIVESTRONG.COM MyPlate: Lean Cuisine Chicken With Almonds
- Harvard School of Public Health: Protein
- MayoClinic.com: Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet
