If you have a freakishly fast metabolism or genetically tiny thighs, forget it. If you have ample time to grocery shop and cook healthy meals every day, pay no mind. But if you’re like most modern Americans, your diet attempts have led you on a winding path and you have (gasp!) even tried to sustain yourself on boxed diet food.
The truth is, boxed meals are never going to be our first choice. But they make portion control effortless and some of them stand out from the rest. Here are a few tips on how to eat them without losing your mind…
- Shop for the ones with larger portions. (Sorry but the Lean Cusine Ravioli isn’t going to tide anyone over for longer than 10 minutes … 8 shells, c’mon!) Keep an eye out for Lean Cusine’s Santa Fe-Style Rice & Beans (300 calories), the Smart Ones Lasagna Florentine (290 calories) and the Healthy Choice Mediterranean Pasta (360 calories and pictured above).
- Make your food look appetizing. Take the contents out of the sad little plastic bowl they provide and scoop them onto a dinner plate. It feels like an authentic meal that way. It also helps to sit down at the table and have real conversation while you eat, too.
- Add condiments and spices. I like to squeeze lime on the Santa Fe beans and Rice, drizzle the Mediterranean pasta with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle red pepper flakes over the roasted vegetable pizza. Acidity helps brighten flavor and spice helps to suppress the appetite.
(The 310 calorie Spinach, Artichoke and Chicken Panini pictured above.)
Are boxed diet meals part of your regime? Health nuts may tell you to jog around the block or eat fresh produce but I find that this method fits into my real world quite well. Plus, it helps balance my weekend cravings for Terry’s Turf Club.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I really like the Kashi frozen meals. They are a bit more expensive, but in terms of flavor, I think they are winners. Good quantities of whole grains, and these meals are really quite filling.
You know, you’re right. I tried the Black Bean Mango once and really liked it. I should try more of ‘em.
I typically do them 1-2x week – I know which ones I like and don’t like. I like to do a panini and then a side salad or chips or something with it. Or lately the Aldi “lean pockets” with some homemade soup – makes the soup stretch longer and gives a little more heft to the meal.
I am a big fan of the Chicken Florentine, and the Coconut Lemongrass Chicken. The thing I really like about their meals is that when you open the package, the veggies and other things in there look pretty much like you just froze a meal you made yourself from good ingredients.
Since I am sitting at my desk eating a healthy choice steamer meal, I thought I should comment. I look for meals with no preservatives. If I am going to eat something quick and easy, I would like it to be pretty wholesome too. To off set the small portions, a salad as a mid afternoon snack normally does the trick.
That is very wise of you. When I’m eating these things my primary goal is to fill up. So I guess that’s the angle I took here. But way to go for keeping preservatives in mind!
i like the birds eye brand “beans with a twist” that include nuts and cranberries -they are also very tasty with some crumbled feta i like to add to the mix.