Frozen Meals--Not So Cool

Photo Credit: www.banquet.com 

We all stock up on a few different frozen meals to keep in the freezer. You know, "emergency meals". They're easy to put together and can even be taken on the go. Not enough time to make dinner? Frozen meal.  Too lazy to make lunch? Frozen dinner.  They are definitely handy, but they aren't too healthy.  

When companies make these frozen meals, they make them so that they will last for long periods of time.  They don't want your frozen meals expiring just a month after you purchase them.  Because of this, there are lots of preservatives added into frozen meals.  Something has to be done for them to still look appealing after sitting in the freezer for months on end.  Believe it or not, even the "diet" frozen meals have these same preservatives added. Weight Watchers doesn't calculate preservatives into their point system.  Just three points for Weight Watchers, but a body full of preservatives. Counteractive for sure.  

Frozen meals are also very, very high in sodium.  This goes for frozen food in general.  Salt stops bacteria growth and adds flavor to these meals.  Salt flavor doesn't ware off after a week or two, which is why it is used so often in frozen meals.  It wouldn't be a bad thing if each meal didn't have between 600-1000 mg of it. 

There are other options available for quick and easy meals! Stick to the outer edges of the grocery store, and keep your eyes open for simple options.

Make sweet choices--in food and in life.  

Information Source: www.nutrition.about.com