Frozen meals: Are they good, healthy options to eat?

Now and then, instead of gathering food items at the grocery store and cooking them for a meal, you’ll stop by the frozen meal section. Frozen meals are inexpensive, tasty and convenient. But are they healthy? Lisa Froechtenigt, registered dietitian at Baylor College of Medicine, explains all about eating frozen meals.

“Frozen meals do provide nutrition, but not a complete meal,” Froechtenigt said. “Typically, they are not as filling. They are one portion and may not meet everyone’s dietary needs.”

This is why it is important to check the nutritional label of your frozen meal. Some meals have more sodium than others, and if you are watching your sodium intake, they aren’t the best option. Others may not have much protein.

“You can add vegetables to your frozen meals, eggs, ground beef, cottage cheese on the side and even tofu for a vegetarian option,” Froechtenigt said.

Frozen meals contain processed foods, but that doesn’t mean that they are bad or unhealthy for you to eat. Froechetenigt says that this means that the food has been frozen or processed to last longer. Even though the food can last for a long time, be aware of the expiration date.

“Living in Houston, we lose our power a lot. If your refrigerator or freezer has fully defrosted during a power outage, then it’s best to toss that frozen meal,” Froechtenigt said.

If you’re someone who eats frozen meals daily, no worries. Just make sure you eat other foods with the frozen meals that have nutritional value.

“Think about what else you could add to your frozen meal and be aware of the types of frozen meals you are choosing. Some will be more health-conscious than others,” Froechtenigt said.

By Taylor Barnes