If you’re bored with cereal and PB&J for those nights when you just can’t bring yourself to cook, might we suggest healthy frozen dinners as another possible alternative—especially if you’ve already maxed out your takeout budget?
Yes, frozen entrées don’t have the best reputation—mushy textures, not much flavor, loads of sodium, skimpy portions, et cetera—but that’s far from fully deserved. Now more than ever, there are plenty of legit, tasty options made from wholesome ingredients that will actually leave you satisfied—from tasty, stovetop stir fry dishes to microwaveable meatballs and ravioli. And registered dietitians agree that it’s worth keeping a few of the best frozen meals in your freezer for when things get hectic (or, to be honest, you just don’t feel like cooking).
“High quality frozen dinners can be great,” Phoenix-based nutrition expert Rhyan Geiger, RDN, tells SELF. “They come in handy on a busy night when home cooking isn’t an option or used as a backup plan if a meal falls through.”
All frozen dinners are definitely not created equal, though. That’s why there are some factors you might want to consider before stocking up to make sure you’re making the most of your microwave meals—and that they will keep you full for the long haul.
1. Make sure it contains enough calories.
The serving sizes for healthy frozen dinners can sometimes be a little puny, making them feel more like a snack or a side dish than a meal. Look for options that offer the caloric equivalent of the meals you’d make for yourself, Kelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD, a sports nutritionist based in Philadelphia, tells SELF. If a meal has less, consider how you’ll enhance it to make it more filling. For instance, add sliced avocado on top of a frozen burrito or sprinkle chopped nuts on top of a grain bowl.
2. Fill in the nutrition gaps with easy staples.
You want a meal that not only contains enough calories, but is well-rounded and balanced. “Look for a meal that contains carbohydrates, proteins and fats,” Yasi Ansari, MS, RD, CSSD, a Los Angeles–based sports dietitian and national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, tells SELF.
And if your fave frozen meal doesn’t quite measure up, fill in the gaps with pantry staples or pre-made basics to make it a complete meal and ensure you get all the health benefits you need. “Find ways to boost nutrition by adding what may be missing,” Ansari says. Some of Ansari’s favorite frozen food brands, for example, tend to run low on the carbs, so she always adds some of the pre-made brown rice, potatoes, or quinoa she keeps on hand.
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