Health and convenience have finally met in the freezer aisle! Food companies are responding to the new dietary guidelines with frozen entrees that emphasize whole grains and vegetables. Finally! Kashi All Natural Entrees Kashi launched six delicious meals this past summer. These dishes are a tasty combination of whole grains, colorful vegetables and natural chicken or shrimp; they are packed with sustenance. The fiber and protein will keep you satisfied and alert during those long study hours. Combine the dish with a cup of frozen vegetables (without sauce) for a well-balanced meal.
Chicken Pasta Pomodoro (10 oz.)Price: $3.49 Evaluation: A healthy twist on the typical chicken and pasta entr?©e. The savory blend of multi-grain pasta, grilled chicken, bell peppers and tomato garlic basil sauce satisfied my palate. I accompanied the meal with a cup of frozen broccoli, which can be prepared easily in the microwave. Overall, the dish was tasty and filling. It will definitely be on my next grocery list. Vegetarians, try Black Bean Mango.
Stouffer's Lean Cuisine
Spa Cuisine Classics
These eight dishes offer a creative combination of whole grains, vegetables and chicken or salmon. These dishes were inspired by wellness spa cuisine. They are healthy, flavorful and innovative. To complete the meal, add a side salad and light dressing.
Salmon with basil (8.6 oz.)Price: $3.69Evaluation: A blend of salmon, lemon dill sauce, whole wheat pasta, carrots and broccoli. The salmon in this healthy dish is packed with omega-3 fatty acids (heart healthy fats). The entr?©e provides one serving of whole grains and vegetables. The tasty blend of ingredients danced on my tongue but didn't fill my stomach. I was left feeling a bit hungry, so I paired the dish with a side salad and light Italian dressing.
Dinnertime Selects Touted as "a larger portion perfect for a nutritious dinner," these entr?es are a complete meal in a box-an entr?©e with two servings of vegetables and dessert. Even though this product does not contain whole grains, it does offer two servings of vegetables. You can choose from chicken, turkey, beef and shrimp.
Grilled Chicken & Penne Pasta (12 oz.)Price: $4.39Evaluation: A flavorful combination of grilled herbed chicken, penne pasta, broccoli and carrots in a garlic herb sauce served with apples in a caramel sauce-this product is one of my favorite frozen meals. The chicken and generous serving of vegetables and pasta are delicious and satisfying. Note: For those who enjoy beef, try Steak Tips Dijon.
Amy's Kitchen Products
Receiving accolades for almost 20 years, Amy's Kitchen products are a popular line of organic, vegetarian and special diet dishes (i.e. lactose free, gluten free). Since its founding in 1987, Amy's has expanded their product line to over 88 frozen meals, including pizza, burritos and side dishes. Amy's dishes are bursting with vegetables, fiber and protein, but tend to be high in fat and sodium. So be careful, and read the Nutrition Facts Label (see Exploring on Your Own).
Chili and Cornbread (10 oz.)Price: $4.29Evaluation: A satisfying meal of cornbread, organic chili and vegetables. The cornbread was very tasty and I recommend mixing the rice and chili together to blend their flavors. I also suggest adding a serving of vegetables, like a frozen vegetable blend of yellow squash and zucchini, to round out the meal.
Exploring on Your Own
Choosing a healthy frozen entree isn't impossible if you know what to look for. Check out these tips. Use them the next time you read through the nutrition facts labels of frozen entrees.
1. Aim for an 8-11 ounce meal with about 200-350 calories.2. Choose meals with fewer than 4 grams of saturated fat.3. Focus on meals with fewer than 800 milligrams of sodium4. Select meals containing at least 3 grams of fiber.
Happy Eating!
