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Think Twice Before Tossing These Frozen Foods in Your Cart
Frozen foods: convenient, affordable, and…nutritious? While frozen fruits and vegetables get a thumbs-up from health experts, many pre-made frozen meals are loaded with hidden sugars, sodium, and unhealthy fats. We consulted nutrition experts to get the lowdown on some of the worst frozen food offenders.
Pizza Problems
Frozen pizzas are tempting, but University of Tampa nutrition professor Melissa Morris warns against Red Baron Classic Crust Four Cheese Pizza and Tombstone Original Pepperoni Pizza. While the Red Baron pie packs a hefty dose of sodium and saturated fat, Tombstone’s lengthy ingredient list raises red flags. Morris recommends making your own pizza with healthier ingredients.
Sodium Shockers
Several frozen meals are swimming in sodium. Hungry Man meals, particularly the Classic Fried Chicken and Mesquite Flavored Classic Fried Chicken, are singled out for their sky-high sodium content.
The same goes for Stouffer’s Macaroni & Cheese, Bowl-FULLS Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta, and Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo. Even seemingly healthy options like Evol’s Gluten-Free Mac & Cheese contain surprisingly high levels of sodium and saturated fat.
Sugar Overload
Hidden sugars lurk in many frozen treats. Jamba At Home Smoothies pack unnecessary added sugar, according to personal trainer and nutritionist Jamie Hickey.
He suggests making smoothies from scratch with unsweetened frozen produce. Similarly, Pillsbury Toaster Strudel and Sara Lee Chocolate Crème Pie are loaded with sugar.
Healthier dessert alternatives include low-fat or sugar-free pudding, or simply enjoying fresh fruit.
Beware of “Healthy” Claims
Don’t be fooled by “healthy” branding. Healthy Choice Café Steamers Sweet & Sour Chicken contains a staggering amount of sugar.
Even breakfast items like Jimmy Dean Pancakes and Sausage on a Stick and Kellogg’s Special K Flatbread Sandwich Sausage Egg and Cheese contain unhealthy levels of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar. Bob Evans Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Burrito also earns a spot on the “avoid” list due to its high sodium and saturated fat content.
Processed Poultry Predicaments
Fast Fixin’ Chicken Nuggets might seem harmless, but Hickey points out the small serving size and potential use of fillers. Banquet’s Meatloaf Meal and Salisbury Steak Meal are also called out for excessive sodium and added sugar.
The Bottom Line
When navigating the frozen food aisle, prioritize simple ingredient lists and avoid products with excessive sodium, added sugar, and unhealthy fats. If you don’t recognize an ingredient, it’s probably best to leave it on the shelf.