The frozen food options available today
are much more appetizing – and better for you – than ever before.
Do you have those nights when you’re too
tired to cook, but still keen to keep your weight-loss goals on track? Or
perhaps you’re simply looking for an all-in-one meal in minutes while you open
the mail and feed the cat? The days of bland TV dinners are long gone. With a
wide selection of meals available, from better-for-you to gourmet, the freezer
can be a busy person’s survival tool. We check out what’s new in frozen food.
Weighing it up
You really need to do your own taste test
to arrive at your favorites, as at times the pack shot can be a tad deceptive.
When selecting meals look at the following:
·
Portion size: The
main benefit of frozen meals, beside convenience, is the portion control. There
are simply no second helpings waiting to tempt you. But will you be satisfied
and not looking for a snack later?
·
Saturated fat: Most
meals in the weight-control category are 97 per cent fat free, which is the
same as low-fat (<3g fat per 100g). Most importantly, keep a check on
cholesterol-raising saturated fat per serve. The best choices have less than 2g
per 100g or 6g per serve.
·
Vegetables: The
most nutritious meals have at least 75g or one serve of vegetables, according
to “The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating”. Do you need a microscope to find
the vegetables? Then add your own salad or side of steamed broccoli.
·
Dietary fiber: Aim
for at least 3g per serve to help you clock up a 25 – 30g daily tally.
·
Sodium: Some
frozen meals nudge the sodium levels up to help maximize the taste. Compare
sodium counts in the per 100g column. The best choices have less than 290mg per
100g.
·
Additives: Many
meals are now available free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.
Check out the on-pack claims or delve deeper into the ingredient list.
Mind
on the job
While there are meals “in a bowl”
available, it pays to plate out all frozen dinners onto proper crockery and
turn off the TV and devices to help slow down, enjoy your meal and eat
mindfully.
