7 Best and Worst Frozen Entrees

If you are shivering in the aisles of the supermarket trying to decide what to buy for lunch or dinner we can help you make the right choices. If you are juggling family time and overtime chances are you are occasionally reaching for a frozen entrée. There are many choices in the market, but how do you select? Obviously taste is an important consideration for, but convenience, freshness, and availability of ethnic flavors are also factors. You probably do not realize that a recent poll conducted by Tupperware Corp. revealed that on an average trip to the supermarket, 94 percent of shoppers purchase frozen food, sometimes, with 30 percent always buying frozen food. That is reflected in the fact that the average American eats a frozen meal about six times each month. In another survey Americans listed frozen food products among the top three items, which they would least want to live without.WE recommend the following frozen entrées because they have less total fat, saturated fat, sodium and calories than the conventional frozen entrée.

7 Heavenly Choices from the Freezer Aisle Recommendations based on entrées containing less than: 350 calories, 6 grams of fat and 800 mgs sodium

Frozen Entrée	Calories	Sat Fat (g)	Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)
Lean Cuisine Caf‚ Classic Chicken a la Orange	230	1	2	300
Weight Watchers Smart Ones Lemon Herb Chicken Picatta	210	1	2	550
Ethnic Gourmet Rice Bowl, Vegetarian Teriyaki	350	1	3	210
Weight Watchers Smart Ones Creamy Rigatoni w/Broccoli and Chicken	240	1	4	780
Healthy Choice Bowl, Southwestern Chicken and Pasta	320	2	4	350
Healthy Choice Bowl, Garlic Lemon Chicken w/Rice	300	2	4	400
Budget Gourmet Low Fat Angel Hair Pasta with Chunky Tomatoes in Meat Sauce	240	2	5	450

Freeze Out These entrées WE have selected the following as the worst entr‚e product lines because they are higher in total fat, saturated fat, sodium and calories than the healthier frozen entrée. You may pay a nutritional price for convenience but your waistline will thank you. Although we don?t recommend depriving yourself of an entrée you love. Instead of eating one of the higher fat meals alone, share it with a friend or loved one and add a nice big salad or bowl of vegetable soup.

7 Least Nutritious Choices in the Freezer Aisle Recommendations based on entrées containing more than: 750 calories, 35 grams of fat and 650 mgs sodium

Frozen Entrée	Calories	Sat Fat (g)	Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)
Stouffer?s French Bread Pizza with Sausage and Pepperoni	895	14	45	1720
Banquet Salisbury Steak, Extra Helping	890	N/A	58	685
Marie Callender?s Fettuccini Entr‚e, Alfredo with Bread	800	19	47	1270
Marie Callender?s Penne Pasta and Pepperoni	800	17	43	1780
Hungry Man Chicken Entr‚e, Fried	800	11	39	2380
Totino?s Pizza with Sausage and Pepperoni	769	9	41	2082
Stouffer?s Lasagna with Meat	767	13	30	2035

Balancing Act It is possible to eat well without cooking. If you don't want to work in the kitchen use our frozen food recommendations and pair them with a salad or steamed vegetables, serve fresh fruit for dessert.Unfortunately most frozen entrées, like fast food fare, are low in the vitamins and minerals naturally found in fresh fruits and vegetables. If you exist solely on convenience and fast foods you may shortchange your health.

Healthy eating with a frozen entrée can be achieved by adding one or more of the following to your meal: A salad with rich in color like dark-green and red lettuce varieties. Use bagged grated cabbage and broccoli for a quick coleslaw tossed with a light vinaigrette. Add color and nutrition to any meal by stocking your freezer with fresh and frozen vegetables, such as California, Italian Medley and Asian medleys or a Winter vegetable mix. Dress up a frozen entrée with seasonal fresh fruit, such as blueberries, strawberries, carrots, broccoli, spinach, and kiwi. Consider frozen or juice packed canned fruits, such as peaches and pears, when fresh fruit is limited.

Good health and good eating!