X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

In an otherwise healthy, low sodium diet, how good/bad is it if a person eats a frozen entree (smart ones, lean cuisine, etc) for lunch daily (5 days per week - not weekends)

Thanks in advance!! Just wondering if I'm setting myself up for a lifetime of high blood pressure down the road!

X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

The biggest thing with them is the sodium. I would just drink a ton more water to flush it out.

Re: X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

If you have HB/Hypertension or are borderline hypertensive, I would stay far far away from them... but if your BPressure is normal, go for it, like PP said, just drink extra water.

Re: X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

Thanks! I don't have HTN at all... For awhile I've been having protein bars for lunch, but I'm just craving savory food at lunch time... and I work three jobs so preparing something for myself at home in advance isn't really an option most days.

Thanks again!

Re: X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

I would just watch your sodium at other meals- in the long run you are allowed a certain amount of sodium per day so I'd just try to keep it at that amount.
If you go high on one meal, just go low on the others.

Re: X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

I wish I could have a personal chef who could come by and prepare me healthy meals

Hey, maybe if my tax return is big enough. You never know.

X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

My concern would be sodium as pp's stated. I would try to stick to healthier options--Amy's has some lower sodium frozen options and they are good. Trader Joe's also has prepared foods that are shelf stable that microwave well. Some of them have less sodium then frozen entrees. Even without high blood pressure it is recommended to keep your daily sodium intake under 2000 mg (2 grams) and many frozen entrees come close to half of this recommendation or more.

X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

They are highly processed and not the best option. Full of preservatives as well.

Re: X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

I wouldn't do it
If you can.. Make fresh meals and freeze them for reheating
Much healthier and more satisfying. Never found frozen meals to be filling.

Re: X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

I think it's ok to do sometimes, but every day? Usually in addition to a ton of sodium they have a lot of preservatives etc - so I would definitely spend time reading labels.

What about making your own? Make a big pan of lasagna, get a bunch of freezer containers, and put portions away. I think one of the companies also makes divided containers with a big section and 2 small sections so maybe you can get a bunch of those. You can even buy a big bag of frozen broccoli or whatever to put directly in those, so that you aren't reheating already cooked veg, which could get mushy.

X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

The Healthy Choice meals tend to be lower in sodium than WW and Lean Cuisine.

X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

Ty for the input. Making my own stuff in advance & freezing is not an option, as I mentioned in a previous post, so I'm going to go w/these for now. Thanks again!

Re: X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

I used to eat these everyday for lunch when I worked in an office. Never had high blood pressure. The Healthy Choice ones are quite bland IMO, so I don't think those contain a high amount of sodium.

Re: X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

Amy's and Evol are two brands that are worth looking into, they have some really yummy stuff! I'd just up my water intake a bit.

Re: X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

Self (as in the magazine) has a line out too now that are preservative free. So far, they haven't been on sale so I haven't bought them, but when they are I'd like to give them a try.

X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

I used to eat them, but with my borderline HBP I had to stop, and I'm so glad. What I started to do was cook enough at night to take left-overs for lunch... some weeks I prepare the whole week's lunches on Sunday and just pack them up. If you cook them on Sunday, they should be fine in the fridge up through Friday.

Re: X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

Oh something else I learned too.
Potassium helps regulate sodium in the body.
So have a banana for dessert!

X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

^^^^ banana and potatoes, potatoes actually have more potassium than bananas (just recently learned this from my grandfather).

Re: X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

I'll have to pick up some bananas!

X Post in Health - Frozen Lunches

Also, one of my staff makes these and then adds extra canned veggies (green beans, peas, carrots, etc) to bulk it up a bit.