Turning the Best Frozen Diet Dinners Into Complete Meals
Get tips on turning a packaged entree into a complete, nutritious meal.
Feb. 4, 2010— -- If you want to cut calories from your diet and cut your preparation time, packaged meals can be a great solution. Frozen diet entrees offer a convenient way for health-conscious people to get portion-controlled servings of food.
Consumer Reports rated the taste quality of 24 packaged meals from top brands including Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine and Weight Watchers. While the low calorie count makes these meals an attractive option, many have so few calories that you're not actually getting enough nutrition if you don't pair them with other sides.
Mandy Walker from Consumer Reports showed "GMA" the magazine's five favorite microwaveable meals, and the food you can add to them to get a nutritious, satisfying and calorie-conscious meal.
Check out the Consumer Reports Web site for more details and pick up the February issue for the full list and advice on choosing packaged meals and pairing them with the proper add-ons.
Kashi Chicken Florentine
290 calories
$3.96
Add:
Broccoli with pat of butter and lemon juice
Grapes
Total calories: 460
Total fat: 14g
Sodium: 590mg
Smart Ones Santa Fe Style Rice & Beans
310 calories
$2.38
Add:
Tossed salad with reduced-fat dressing
Strawberries with 2 tbsp whipped topping
Total calories: 430
Total fat: 11g
Sodium: 710mg
Favorite Frozen Meals from Consumer Reports
Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Roasted Beef Merlot
230 calories$3.45
Add:
Whole wheat bread
Apple
Low fat granola bar
Total Calories: 470Fat: 11gSodium: 800mg
Lean Cuisine Cafe Classics Shrimp Alfredo
260 calories
$3.24
Add:
Cucumbers and tomatos with olive oil and lemon juice
Half a cup of light ice cream with sliced pears
Total calories: 490
Fat: 15g
Sodium 790mg
Lean Cuisine Cafe Classics Steak Tips Portabella
Calories: 160
$3.26
Add:
10 baby carrots (approximately 90 grams)
2 tbsp hummus
Light and Fit vanilla yogurt (6 ounces)
Sliced banana (one medium)
Total calories: 430
Total fat: 11g
Sodium: 730 mg
More Diet Entree Picks from Consumer Reports:
Lean Cuisine Cafe Classics Sesame Chicken
330 calories
$3.27
Healthy Choice Café Steamers Five-Spice Beef & Vegetables
$3.46
290 calories
Lean Cuisine Spa Cuisine Classics Butternut Squash Ravioli
$3.22
350 calories
Kashi Garden Vegetable Pasta
$3.95
300 calories
Healthy Choice All Natural Entrées Pumpkin Squash Ravioli
$2.50
300 calories