Introduction
Frozen dinners are a convenient way to get a meal on the table quickly, but not all frozen dinners are created equal. Some are loaded with sodium, preservatives, and artificial ingredients, while others are surprisingly healthy. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the worst frozen dinners in the freezer aisle, so you can make an informed decision when it comes to choosing a frozen meal. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make healthier choices when it comes to frozen dinners.
The Worst Frozen Dinners In the Freezer Aisle
When it comes to frozen dinners, there are some that are definitely better than others. Unfortunately, there are also some that are downright terrible. Here are some of the worst frozen dinners you can find in the freezer aisle.
1. Stouffer’s Lasagna with Meat & Sauce
This frozen dinner is one of the worst offenders when it comes to frozen dinners. It’s loaded with sodium and fat, and the taste is far from authentic. The lasagna is dry and the sauce is overly salty. Avoid this one at all costs.
2. Banquet Salisbury Steak Meal
This frozen dinner is a classic, but it’s also one of the worst. The Salisbury steak is dry and flavorless, and the mashed potatoes are overly salty. The vegetables are also soggy and unappetizing. Avoid this one if you can.
3. Marie Callender’s Chicken Pot Pie
This frozen dinner is a classic, but it’s also one of the worst. The crust is soggy and the filling is overly salty. The chicken is dry and the vegetables are mushy. Avoid this one if you can.
4. Healthy Choice Chicken Alfredo
This frozen dinner is marketed as a healthy option, but it’s far from it. The chicken is dry and the sauce is overly salty. The vegetables are also soggy and unappetizing. Avoid this one if you can.
5. Lean Cuisine Chicken Parmesan
This frozen dinner is another one that’s marketed as a healthy option, but it’s far from it. The chicken is dry and the sauce is overly salty. The cheese is also rubbery and unappetizing. Avoid this one if you can.
Conclusion
When it comes to frozen dinners, there are some that are definitely better than others. Unfortunately, there are also some that are downright terrible. The five frozen dinners listed above are some of the worst you can find in the freezer aisle. Avoid them if you can.
There actually is nothing fairly like a frozen dinner. All you want is a microwave (or oven when you’re feeling fancy) and 5 minutes later, your meal is prepared. For these nights when you do not have the time or the vitality to whip up a full dish from scratch, there may be nothing extra handy. Plus, these frozen meals appear relatively decadent, equal to what you’d order from a restaurant—or so they appear. However there are some frozen dinners on the market are simply not value it.
We went forward and look a deep dive into the frozen meals aisle and located the worst frozen dinners which might be merely the unhealthiest. We even ranked them from dangerous to the worst of the worst for you, too. And whilst you’re making room within the freezer, take a look at these 15 Traditional American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback!
Per meal: 350 energy, 8 g fats (1 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 690 mg sodium, 54 g carbs (3 g fiber, 15 g sugar), 15 g protein
Lean Delicacies meals are recognized for being a lighter, more healthy possibility in comparison with different frozen meals, however the sesame rooster dish provides you breaded rooster that’s tossed in 15 grams of sugar. Skip!
Per meal: 410 energy, 17 g fats (10 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 780 mg sodium, 42 g carbs (3 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 21 g protein
This dish from Amy’s is made up of 5 cheeses which might be layered together with marinara sauce. It is packing 780 milligrams of sodium for a relatively small serving of pasta. Amy’s affords up tons of different frozen choices which might be a lot better for you!
Per meal: 500 energy, 14 g fats (2.5 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 950 mg sodium, 77 g carbs (6 g fiber, 29 g sugar), 17 g protein
Sorry, however going for a candy and bitter rooster possibility is not higher than sesame rooster—the truth is, it is worse! This dish from Marie Callender’s is product of battered rooster that’s tossed with greens, pineapple, and candy and bitter glaze sauce atop rice. Whereas it has a strong protein serving, it is packing 29 grams of sugar, practically as a lot as you’d get when you ate three Unique Glazed Donuts from Krispy Kreme.
Per meal: 240 energy, 9 g fats (4.5 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 960 mg sodium, 31 g carbs (2 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 9 g protein
This pasta dish from Michelina’s appears too good to be true, because it’s solely 240 energy for your entire meal. However do not let that idiot you. See, the tortellini pasta right here is filled with a creamy mix of ricotta, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses, and is all tossed in a wealthy Alfredo sauce. And also you already know Alfredo sauce is at all times one to keep away from in the case of unhealthy sauces! Altogether, this meal has 960 milligrams of sodium, for such a small dish.
Per meal: 330 energy, 14 g fats (3 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 1,100 mg sodium, 40 g carbs (4 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 11 g protein
It is best to keep away from something that’s labeled as “fried,” and this rooster fried rooster Banquet meal is proof. It is packing greater than 1,000 milligrams of sodium! Take into account that The American Coronary heart Affiliation recommends not more than 2,300 milligrams a day, shifting towards an excellent restrict of not more than 1,500 milligrams per day for many adults. This one meal finally ends up costing you just about half your day’s value of sodium.
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Per meal: 500 energy, 23 g fats (14 g saturated fats, 1 g trans fats), 1,110 mg sodium, 52 g carbs (2 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 21 g protein
By now, it ought to be clear that whereas mac and cheese is regarded as one of many high tier consolation meals dishes, it does not actually do a lot for you, nutritionally talking. This baked model from Stouffer’s is topped with buttery romano bread crumbs, making a meal that’s loaded up with fats and sodium.
And that one gram of trans fats? That is a tough go, as trans fat are confirmed to be dangerous. They not solely decrease your HDL ranges (in any other case generally known as your good ldl cholesterol), however may even set off coronary heart illness, stroke, diabetes, and different persistent situations, in line with Harvard Well being.
Per meal: 470 energy, 19 g fats (8 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 1,260 mg sodium, 51 g carbs (3 g fiber, 6 g sugar), 23 g protein
This Stouffer’s bowl is made up of fried rooster, mashed potatoes, corn, and gravy, making a meal that’s similar to KFC’s Well-known Bowl. Whereas it is definitely much less caloric than the KFC model, this meal continues to be means too excessive in sodium.
Per meal: 570 energy, 26 g fats (10 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 1,320 mg sodium, 60 g carbs (8 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 25 g protein
This pasta dish is full of meatballs and Italian sausage, making a meal that’s teetering on the road of being too excessive in protein and once more, is a sodium bomb.
Per meal: 350 energy, 14 g fats (4.5 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 1,340 mg sodium, 44 g carbs (4 g fiber, 11 g sugar), 12 g protein
Banquet strikes once more. This time, they’re serving up steak that’s smothered in gravy alongside creamy mashed potatoes, candy corn, and a cinnamon apple dessert. There may be simply far an excessive amount of sodium and carbs right here to justify consuming this one!
Per meal: 690 energy, 32 g fats (10 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 1,620 mg sodium, 73 g carbs (8 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 28 g protein
On this meal from Hungry-Man Selects, you may discover golden battered rooster and fries which might be swimming in a cheese sauce. This makes for a extremely caloric dish that’s loaded in salt. No thanks!
Per pizza: 720 energy, 35 g fats (17 g saturated fats, 1 g trans fats), 1,530 mg sodium, 67 g carbs (11 g sugar), 33 g protein
DiGiorno went forward and made small-sized pizzas which might be the right portion for one individual to eat all by their lonesome. However this three meat-topped mini frozen pizza pie additionally incorporates a crust that’s filled with cheese, making a meal that top in energy, sodium, and fats.
You are already conscious of how dangerous trans fat are, and the truth that you get 1 gram right here is problematic. The 2015-2020 American Dietary Pointers truly says individuals ought to restrict trans fat to as little as doable, which principally means you should have no.
Per meal: 760 energy, 34 g fats (10 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 2,090 mg sodium, 76 g carbs (4 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 39 g protein
And now we current one of many worst frozen dinner choices you may discover. This Hungry-Man meal is product of two fried rooster patties which might be served with mac and cheese. The truth that it has greater than 2,000 milligrams of sodium is downright scary. Then you definitely take into accounts the quantity of energy and fats you get as effectively and it is apparent this frozen dinner is one that ought to by no means make its means into your freezer.