Recent Posts

May 6, 2011

Healthy Choice Meals

When I was working full time my go to lunch was a frozen entree from Healthy Choice. Hands down those meals tasted better than any other frozen entrees on the market.  When I decided to stay home with my kids I gave those lunches up.  Three kids later I am finding it hard to eat meals that have enough protein and vegetables in them on a weekly basis let alone a daily one.  If I eat a plate full of vegetables I am short on the protein and vice versa.  This recent review with Healthy Choice solved that problem for me. 

Healthy Choice has changed things up and has introduced Cafe Steamers, All Natural Entrees and Steaming Entrees along with their classic frozen entrees.   This is a nice addition to the brand that already has various low sodium, low fat, heavy on the vegetable style meals.  Healthy Choice has nearly 70 varieties of meals that contain fewer than 400 calories while providing positive nutrients such as whole grains, fiber, protein and antioxidants.

I steamed up a Chicken Romano Fresca from the Steaming Entrees line first.  Loaded with broccoli, red peppers, whole-grain pasta and chicken.  It had a slight buttery sauce and a peppery punch.  It was enough to satisfy me and the 16 grams of protein filled me up for the afternoon.  A few days later I sampled the General Tso's Spicy Chicken from the Cafe Steamers line.  A nice, spicy sauce mixed with rice, peas and chicken makes up part of this Asian-inspired meal.  Loaded with protein and no preservatives I again found myself full of energy the rest of the afternoon, which is something I lack when I eat just a salad with nuts.
I love how full of protein and flavor all these meals are no matter what line they are in.  I feel like I am getting a good amount of vegetables too. 

A study, conducted during 2009 and 2010, followed more than 60 participants for 30 days with one group primarily eating Healthy Choice meals for lunch and the other group mainly for dinner every day. Participants were also instructed to add 2-3 food items to their diet, such as fruits and vegetables, according to their caloric/gender needs.


Participants in the study:


o Lost an average of six pounds and trimmed their waistlines by about one inch
o Improved the quality of their overall diets by increasing dietary fiber, reducing saturated fat intake by 50 percent and consuming 30 percent less cholesterol and sodium
o Reported an increased sense of well being, having more energy and feeling healthier after just 30 days.



Healthy Choice meals are quite simply a real easy way for me, a busy working mother, to get what I need to get me through the day in a way that is healthy, full of flavor and the nutrients I need.  I feel more health conscious and that I have more portion control when I eat them as well. 

MPR Rating: Four Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR worked with Healthy Choice and The Motherhood.com on this sponsored post.  Compensation was received but opinions are MPR's only. 






*The research was presented by the Rippe Lifestyle Institute at the Experimental Biology Conference in April 2011 and funded by ConAgra Foods. Images from healthychoice.com

0 comments: