Frozen dinners can be a fast and convenient way to prepare a meal when you are pressed for time or do not feel like cooking. Eaten occasionally, frozen dinners will not harm your health or your diet, but if you regularly eat them, learning more about the nutrition information will help you select the most nutritious options.
Sodium
One of the biggest drawbacks to eating frozen dinners is that the majority of them contain large amounts of salt, up to 1,000 mg or more per serving. A diet high in salt can lead to hypertension and kidney disease. You only need about 2,300 mg of sodium per day, and eating frozen dinners regularly can cause you to consume far too much. Look for frozen dinners that contain 600 mg or less of sodium per serving because they are the healthiest option in terms of salt.
Fat
Many frozen dinners are loaded with fat, which decreases the nutritional value of your meal. Frozen dinners that contain red meat, sausage or cheese are often high in fat and calories. "Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook for Dummies" authors Brian K. Davidson, David Fouts and Karen Meyersadd note that some frozen dinners are high in saturated fat or trans fat, which can cause health problems like obesity and heart disease. Read nutrition information carefully and choose a frozen dinner that contains less than 4 g of saturated fat and does not contain any trans fat, which is listed as partially hydrogenated oil on the ingredient list.
Fiber
Fiber is one of the most important parts of your eating plan, but many diets are too low in this essential nutrient. Many frozen dinners lack fiber, which benefits your health by helping you digest your food properly. High-fiber diets may also help you reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and cancer, particularly colon cancer. Look for a frozen dinner that contains high-fiber foods like brown rice or whole-grain pasta and that contains at least 3 to 5 g fiber per serving.
Vitamins and Minerals
The foods you eat are the best way to ensure you consume plenty of vitamins and minerals, so choosing nutrient-dense frozen dinners is important. Many frozen dinner choices lack vegetables and other nutritious foods. These entrees are devoid of important nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, calcium and iron. Scan the nutrition label and choose a frozen dinner that contains at least 15 g of protein, as well as plenty of vegetables to get the most nutrition from your meal.
References
- "Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook for Dummies"; Brian K. Davidson, David Fouts and Karen Meyers; 2010
- "Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet Book"; Sanford Siegal; 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Sodium: How To Tame Your Salt Habit Now; March 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet; November 2009
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