Which Diet Frozen Meals Are Best?
Does Freezing Affect The Nutritional Quality?
One of the most important concerns when it comes to evaluating frozen meals often revolves around the question of their nutritional quality. Despite what many individuals believe, freezing foods does nothing to the nutritional quality of the product. This is good news not only for individuals who are eating frozen meals, but also for those who are looking for frozen fruits and vegetables. These products can often be purchased at a much lower cost in the frozen versus the fresh form. Customers must remember that in order to maintain the nutritional quality of the frozen meal, it must be reheated in the microwave–though this is typically not a problem for most individuals.
Best Brands of Frozen Meals
Though there are a number of manufacturers currently producing frozen meals, some of the best include Amy’s Organics, Lean Cuisine, Smart Ones, and Healthy Choice. These diet frozen meals are not only legitimately low in calories, but also have surprisingly meager amounts of sodium. In addition, they come in a variety of flavors, making them a great choice for even the fussiest eaters.
Low in Fat
The best frozen diet meals are those that are low in fat. For best results, individuals should look for a frozen meal that provides no more than 30 percent of the total fat requirements for the day. In addition, the type of fat found in the frozen diet meal can greatly determine whether or not it is a good choice. Frozen diet meals that contain mono or poly-unsaturated fats are much better than those loaded with saturated or trans fats. Mono- and poly-unsaturated fats have actually been found to be effective in the treatment of cardiovascular disease and can also aid in weight loss.
Low in Calories
In order to successfully lose weight, dieters must select a frozen meal that is low in calories. A meal that contains no more than 35 percent of the total calorie requirements for the day should be selected. In order to have the best results when it comes to examining calorie content of a particular meal, individuals should have a vague idea of how many calories they burn over the course of a particular day. To do this, individuals can multiply their weight by one hundred. Therefore, someone who weighs 150 pounds will burn approximately 1500 calories over the course of a day. This does not include additional calories that may be burnt through exercise or physical activity.
Contains Fruits and Vegetables
Those who are interested in finding the best diet frozen meal should look for one that contains high amounts of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are not only low in calories, but are rich in fiber. Studies have found that foods, which are rich in fiber are essential for those interested in weight loss, as they can help to maintain satiety levels. In addition, consumers can be sure that they are adding essential vitamins and minerals to their diet, which are needed for good health. Look for products that offer a variety of fruits and vegetables in order to make sure you are getting all necessary nutrients.
Contains Lean Meats
Finally, dieters looking for the best frozen meals should purchase items that contain high amounts of lean meats. Lean meats are a great source of dietary protein, which is necessary for the maintenance of lean body tissue. Without adequate amounts of lean body tissue, the metabolic rate can greatly decrease, making weight loss even more difficult. Good examples of lean meats include chicken, turkey, and fish. In addition, some vegetarian meals that contain tofu, beans, seeds, and legumes can also be a great source of dietary protein. Reading the label is important, as it can provide users with high amounts of information regarding the protein content of a particular frozen meal.
In Conclusion…
Determining which frozen diet meals are best is obviously a complicated process. Consumers should look for options that are not only low in fat and calories, but which contain high amounts of fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.
