Summary of The 30 Worst Frozen Foods in America — Eat This Not That:
The frozen food aisles have become more popular due to COVID-19, busy lifestyles, and brands offering better-quality options. However, some frozen food choices can be high in sodium, fat, and sugar. The article provides a list of the worst frozen foods in America, including Totino’s Pizza Rolls, Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Bars, Tyson Spicy Chicken Nuggets, Gardein Beefless Ground, Walmart’s Great Value Pancake and Sausage on a Stick, El Monterey Beef and Bean Burritos, Banquet Brown ‘N Serve Original Sausage Links. The article offers better choices for each of these options.
*****
The Worst Frozen Foods in America: 8 Options You Should Avoid
Frozen foods have become increasingly popular over the past few years, and it’s not hard to see why. Brands have been making better-quality options, and busy lifestyles mean that we are all looking for convenient food that we can prepare in minutes. However, many frozen foods can be high in unhealthy ingredients such as sodium, fat, and sugar. Here are the worst frozen foods in America that you should avoid.
1. Totino’s Pizza Rolls
These pizza rolls are made with sausage, pepperoni, and imitation mozzarella cheese, making it a snack filled with questionable ingredients. Eating ultra-processed meats like sausage and pepperoni is also linked to an increased risk of developing certain cancers.
Better Choice: Snow Days Pizza Bites
Snow Days Pizza Bites are grain-free, organic, and made with real cheese, organic veggies, and olive oil, making them a healthier option.
2. Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Bar
While these bars offer a strong strawberry flavor, they are also made with ingredients like corn syrup, artificial flavors, and Red 40 food dye.
Better Choice: Halo Top Strawberry Frozen Yogurt Pop
Halo Yogurt Pops are made with creamy yogurt, crunchy granola, and real fruit as ingredients. Since they only contain 110 calories per serving, they can be a part of a healthy and balanced diet.
3. Snickers Ice Cream Bar
Made with added sugar and artificial flavors, this bar is essentially an ice cream version of a candy bar. And with so little fiber found in these treats, it is unlikely that they will provide a significant amount of staying power.
Better Choice: KIND Frozen Treat Bar, Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt & Nut
With a whopping 7 grams of fiber per bar, KIND Frozen Treat Bars will help people feel a bit more satisfied after snacking on these vs. other comparable options. This creamy almond frozen treat combines three delicious flavors: dark chocolate chunks, chopped almonds, and sea salt, all layered with smooth nut butter.
4. Tyson Spicy Chicken Nuggets
The breading on these spicy nuggets results in a hefty amount of carbs per serving. The artificial flavors, soybean oil, corn syrup, and wheat flour found in these nugs may be unappealing ingredients to some.
Better Choice: Applegate Spicy Chicken Breast Bites
Applegate Spicy Chicken Breast Bites are casein-free, made from chickens that are never treated with antibiotics and are humanely raised. Plus, they are made with only white meat chicken.
5. Gardein Beefless Ground
While plant-based may sound healthier than animal-based beef, that isn’t always the case. In the case of this faux beef, the ingredients include textured soy protein, caramel color, canola oil, and natural flavors.
Better Choice: No Bull Veggie Burger
No Bull is made with ingredients like organic lentils, organic carrots, and organic chia seeds, and it is free from anything artificial. And with a whopping 7 grams of fiber per serving, this burger can offer some gut health support, too.
6. Jimmy Dean Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Pancake Stick
With additions like caramel color, soy protein concentrate, and added sugar, this meal-on-a-stick may not be the best bet as a vessel for protein intake.
Better choice: Premier Protein Frozen Pancakes
Premier Protein Frozen Pancakes are packed with 15 grams of protein per serving, and with around a minute in the microwave, these pancakes will keep you full and focused without the mess and cleanup in the morning.
7. El Monterey Beef and Cheese Chimichangas
With a whopping 530 calories and 27 grams of fat per serving, this dish is not the most weight management-friendly. Plus, one serving also provides almost 40% DV of sodium, which is a factor that people with high blood pressure should be aware of.
Better Choice: Saffron Road Chicken Enchiladas Poblano Frozen Meal
Saffron Road Chicken Enchiladas Poblano Frozen Meal is a delicious dish made with roasted dark meat chicken, spinach, and Oaxaca cheese. Hand-rolled corn tortilla enchiladas in a smooth, creamy poblano peppers chili sauce make it a gluten-free and halal option, made with chicken that is not raised with antibiotics.
8. Banquet Brown ‘N Serve Original Sausage Links
Soy protein concentrate, BHA, and BHT are some of the ingredients found in these sausages. And with 5 grams of saturated fat providing 25% DV of this nutrient, it’s not the best food to eat to start the day on the right foot.
Better Choice: Applegate Organics Chicken and Apple Breakfast Sausage
Casein, gluten, and dairy-free breakfast sausage makes for a better-for-you breakfast option. Made with organic chicken, organic apple, and real spices, you won’t find any fillers or unnatural flavorings in this product.
In conclusion, while frozen foods can be convenient and delicious, not all options are created equal. By identifying the worst frozen foods in America and opting for healthier alternatives, we can enjoy the convenience and deliciousness without sacrificing our health.
Comments are closed