{"id":174162,"date":"2025-09-22T14:51:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T14:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/174162\/"},"modified":"2025-09-22T14:51:17","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T14:51:17","slug":"21-unhealthy-frozen-foods-to-avoid-and-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/174162\/","title":{"rendered":"21 Unhealthy Frozen Foods to Avoid (and Why)"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s been a long debate about whether it\u2019s a good idea to eat frozen foods. Simply freezing food\u00a0is not what makes it less healthy \u2014 some leading health organizations say frozen food is actually as nutritious as fresh. Specific nutrients in food are even better preserved when frozen. The key difference to look for when considering buying frozen food is the nutritional content of the food item and any potential additives, and to steer clear of unhealthy frozen foods.<\/p>\n

Frozen fruits and vegetables are typically healthy on their own, but it\u2019s best to avoid items like pizzas, snacks, or entrees that contain a lot of added sugar, sodium, or high-calorie sauces.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a closer look at some frozen foods to avoid putting in a shopping cart.<\/p>\n

Red Baron Classic Crust Four Cheese Pizza<\/p>\n

\"RedRed Baron<\/p>\n

At first blush this frozen pizza looks okay \u2014 but there are four servings within, and Melissa Morris, a University of Tampa nutrition professor, says many people will eat at least half the pizza, for just under 800 calories, 18 grams of saturated fat, 1500 milligrams of sodium, and 8 grams of sugar.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you eat the entire pie, you can figure 1,600 calories, 36 grams of saturated fat, and 3,000 mg of sodium,\u201d Morris says. A better alternative would be to make your own pizza using a thin whole-grain or cauliflower crust, less cheese, and adding vegetables of your own.<\/p>\n

Hungry Man Selects Classic Fried Chicken<\/p>\n

\"HungryHungry Man<\/p>\n

Morris describes Hungry Man dinners as a nutritional no-no, but the classic fried chicken meal, in particular, is a bad choice. \u201cIt has 940 calories, 12 grams of saturated fat, 1,370 mg of sodium, and 14 grams of sugar,\u201d Morris says. \u201cDid you guess that your fried chicken had 3.5 teaspoons of sugar in it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

A better alternative is preparing a grilled chicken breast and veggies, which would be much healthier and provide far more nutrients.<\/p>\n

Jimmy Dean Meat Lovers Breakfast Bowl<\/p>\n

\"JimmyWalmart<\/p>\n

This breakfast bowl serves one person and has 460 calories, 13 grams of saturated fat, 1,130 milligrams of sodium, and 1 gram of sugar. \u201cThat much sodium is a terrible start to your day,\u201d Morris says. \u201cInstead, have an omelet made with veggies of your choice and low-fat cheese.\u201d<\/p>\n

Any\u2019tizers Boneless Chicken Bites, Honey BBQ Flavored<\/p>\n

\"Any'tizersTyson<\/p>\n

Boneless chicken bites with honey and barbecue sauce sound good, but Bart Wolbers, researcher and chief science writer for Alexfergus<\/a>, suggests consumers review the ingredients before buying. A partial list includes brown sugar, sugar, corn syrup, canola oil, dextrose, high fructose corn syrup, modified food starch, polysorbate 80, smoke flavor, sodium benzoate (as a preservative), and sodium phosphates.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you can see, many different types of sugars are added,\u201d says Wolbers, who has a master\u2019s degree in clinical health science. According to the packaging, each 3-ounce serving (roughly the size of your palm, so just a few bites) contains about 7 grams of sugar, not to mention 510 milligrams of sodium (21% of the recommended daily allowance).<\/p>\n

Tombstone Original Pepperoni Pizza<\/p>\n

\"TombstoneTombStone<\/p>\n

Again, take a gander at the ingredients before buying, Wolbers suggests. \u201cI count 38. For those specializing in nutrition, that\u2019s a horrible list, let alone the average person walking through a supermarket.\u201d The list includes salt, sugar, and what Wolbers calls toxic vegetable oils, such as soybean and corn oil, which are not heat-stable. There\u2019s also yeast, different types of meat (pork, chicken, and beef), artificial flavorings, and preservatives.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe more ingredients included, the higher the reward for your brain becomes \u2014 and the greater the addictive potential,\u201d says Wolbers. Each serving of the pizza (which is a quarter of the pie) contains 17 grams of fat and 780 milligrams of sodium.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stouffer\u2019s Macaroni & Cheese<\/p>\n

\"Stouffer'sgoodNes<\/p>\n

Macaroni and cheese should be simple, including perhaps two to four ingredients such as macaroni, cheese, milk, and maybe some salt, Wolbers says. But\u00a0Stouffer\u2019s version is more complicated, which is why the sauce alone is in the double digits, and each 1 cup serving contains a whopping 920 grams of sodium, 17 grams of fat, and 350 calories.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgain, there are at least two different cheeses added, which makes the food more rewarding to your brain. Then there\u2019s salt, wheat flour, and two different oils added \u2014 butter and soybean oil, to make your brain go wild,\u201d Wolbers says. \u201cBy simply adding a few highly rewarding ingredients, food companies ensure that the next time you see this macaroni and cheese product in the supermarket, you\u2019ll buy it again instead of a healthier alternative.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jamba At Home Smoothies<\/p>\n

\"JambaJamba<\/p>\n

Anyone who\u2019s ever made a smoothie knows they\u2019re sweet enough without adding sugar or stevia to the mix, says Jamie Hickey, a personal trainer, nutritionist, and founder of Truism Fitness<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cJamba juice didn\u2019t get the message,\u201d says Hickey of the company\u2019s overly sweet smoothies, which included added sugar. \u201cYou\u2019re better off making a drink from scratch using unsweetened frozen produce like berries, pineapple, and spinach. This way you have total control over what you eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hungry-Man Selects Mesquite Flavored Classic Fried Chicken<\/p>\n

\"Hungry-ManHungry-Man<\/p>\n

This meal consists of fried chicken in a tangy mesquite sauce, mashed potatoes with butter, green beans, and a brownie. While we may feel nostalgia over frozen TV dinners<\/a> like this, it also contains a whopping 1,050 calories per serving and 72 grams of fat, which is more fat than you should have in an entire day, Hickey says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe sugar content is 18 grams, mostly from the brownie, and last but definitely not least is the 2,060 milligrams of sodium.\u201d The American Heart Association recommends no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium daily for adults.<\/p>\n

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Marie Callender\u2019s Cheesy Chicken & Bacon Pot Pie<\/p>\n

\"MarieMarie Callender\u2019s<\/p>\n

Approach this pot pie, with its doughy crust stuffed with creamy sauce and bacon, with caution, Hickey says. It contains more than 60% of the recommended daily allotment for sodium. \u201cThe nutrition facts are split into two [servings], which is a trick to make it seem healthier,\u201d Hickey says, \u201cBut the majority of people are going to eat the whole meal, and it has 1,020 calories and 64 grams of fat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pillsbury Toaster Strudel<\/p>\n

\"PillsburyPillsbury<\/p>\n

Not only are these pastries void of any nutrients a body needs to fuel up for the day, but they also include high fructose corn syrup and soybean oil, a fat that has been connected to fast weight gain<\/a>, Hickey says. \u201cNot to mention that you should never buy a product that boasts having 30% more icing,\u201d he adds. \u201cYou would be better off eating a breakfast casserole you make yourself, or an egg white omelet with cottage cheese and fruit.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Each pastry also contains 10 grams of sugar, almost half of the maximum amount of added sugars recommended by the American Heart Association for women and nearly a third of the recommended amount for men.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stouffer\u2019s Bowl-FULLS Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta<\/p>\n

\"Stouffer'sStouffer\u2019s<\/p>\n

This product\u2019s packaging highlights that it\u2019s made with real cheese and contains a lot of protein. \u201cBoth statements are true, but it still doesn\u2019t take away from the fact that this is a highly processed bowl of meat. It contains 660 calories, 1,270 milligrams of sodium, 12 grams of saturated fat, and 9 grams of sugar,\u201d Hickey says.<\/p>\n

Sara Lee Chocolate Cr\u00e8me Pie<\/p>\n

\"SaraSara Lee Desserts<\/p>\n

This sweet, chocolate dessert comes in at 450 calories, 18 grams of saturated fat, 320 milligrams of sodium, and 32 grams of sugar. \u201cThat\u2019s like spooning eight teaspoons of sugar into your mouth,\u201d Morris says. \u201cThis is for one-fifth of the pie, which is not a large piece.\u201d Instead, consider having chocolate pudding made with low-fat milk or sugar-free chocolate pudding. Or better yet, have fruit for dessert, Morris says.<\/p>\n

Evol\u2019s Gluten-Free Mac & Cheese<\/p>\n

\"EVOL'sTarget<\/p>\n

Evol\u2019s Gluten-Free Mac & Cheese is an excellent example of a frozen food that\u2019s marketed as healthy but is actually quite bad for you, says Dr. Nikola Djordjevic, of LoudCloudHealth. \u201cFor starters, it contains 23 grams of fat, and 14 grams of the worst kind \u2013 saturated,\u201d Djordjevic says. The meal\u2019s smoked flavor comes from liquid smoke flavor and other additives. For a healthier version of mac and cheese, try making it from scratch at home with fresh ingredients.<\/p>\n

Jimmy Dean Pancakes and Sausage on a Stick<\/p>\n

\"JimmyKroger<\/p>\n

Do we really need pancakes and sausage on a stick? Unusual serving approach aside, this food item contains some alarming ingredients, says Nate Masterson, health expert and the head of natural product development for Maple Holistics.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt contains BHT, which is a possible carcinogen, not to mention the very high saturated fat and sodium levels,\u201d Masterson says. There are 410 milligrams of sodium in a serving, as well as 3.5 grams of saturated fat.<\/p>\n

Stouffer\u2019s Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo<\/p>\n

\"Stouffer'sStouffer\u2019s<\/p>\n

A meal meant for one person, Stouffer\u2019s Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo includes a relatively small portion of chicken with noodles and Alfredo sauce. One serving contains 540 calories and 31 grams of fat, as well as 940 milligrams of sodium and 43 grams of carbs. \u201cNone of those numbers are healthy, and the amount of food you receive isn\u2019t big enough to satiate the average person,\u201d Hickey says.<\/p>\n

Bob Evans Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Burrito<\/p>\n

\"BobWalmart<\/p>\n

The 8 grams of saturated fat in this sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast item is more than half of what a person eating a 2,000-calorie diet needs in a day. The 810 milligrams of sodium is more than half of the 1,500 milligrams daily limit recommended by the American Heart Association, and is particularly bad for individuals at higher risk of heart disease, Morris says.<\/p>\n

Kellogg\u2019s Special K Flatbread Sandwich Sausage Egg and Cheese<\/p>\n

\"Kellogg'sSafeway<\/p>\n

Much like the Bob Evans burrito, this item has a significant amount of sodium \u2014 700 milligrams. It also contains 3 grams of sugar, which includes 2 grams of added sugar. \u201cTwo grams of added sugar is like sprinkling half a teaspoon of sugar on your sandwich,\u201d Morris says.<\/p>\n

Fast Fixin\u2019 Chicken Nuggets<\/p>\n

\"FastFast Fixin\u2019<\/p>\n

The nutrition label for Fast Fixin\u2019 Chicken Nuggets doesn\u2019t set off immediate alarms: Each serving of six nuggets includes 180 calories, 11 grams of fat, 510 milligrams of sodium, 13 grams of carbs, and 9 grams of protein.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI have two concerns, though,\u201d Hickey says. \u201cA lot of processed chicken products use fillers to cut down on the amount of chicken used, to save money in the manufacturing process. Also, once you look closer at the serving size, you see that the six nuggets weigh 75 grams. That means that these are more like popcorn chicken than they are nuggets, and you won\u2019t be satisfied for very long \u2014 and you\u2019ll be eating more and adding even more calories to your day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Banquet Meatloaf Meal<\/p>\n

\"BanquetWalmart<\/p>\n

This meatloaf dish includes nearly a full day\u2019s worth of sodium at 1,350 milligrams. The \u00a011 grams of added sugar aren\u2019t insignificant either, Morris says, being \u201calmost three teaspoons of sugar sprinkled on your meatloaf meal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Banquet Salisbury Steak Meal with Mashed Potatoes<\/p>\n

\"BanquetH-E-B<\/p>\n

Like Banquet\u2019s meatloaf meal, the brand\u2019s Salisbury steak has a hefty 11 grams of added sugar. And don\u2019t overlook its staggering 1,340 milligrams of sodium. You get nearly an entire day\u2019s sodium in one meal with this steak.<\/p>\n

Healthy Choice Caf\u00e9 Steamers Frozen Dinner Sweet & Sour Chicken<\/p>\n

\"HealthyWalmart<\/p>\n

Healthy Choice is supposed to be, well, healthy. But this meal contains 22 grams of sugar \u2014 pretty much the entire daily recommended intake of sugar for a woman, according to the American Heart Association. For men, the recommended limit is 37.5 grams, so this one meal is about 60% of a day\u2019s allotment.<\/p>\n

Bottom Line: What to Look for When Buying Frozen Foods<\/p>\n

\"Womanljubaphoto\/istockphoto<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re going to buy frozen prepared foods, compare nutrition panels to buy items with as few ingredients as possible. An ingredient list should look like \u201cIngredients: organic spinach.\u201d Or this: \u201cIngredients: organic tomato sauce, vinegar, salt.\u201d Simple is good. \u201cYou should also know what you\u2019re putting into your body,\u201d Wolbers says. \u201cIf you don\u2019t understand what you\u2019re eating, then don\u2019t buy the product.\u201d<\/p>\n

More Smart Grocery Tips From Cheapism<\/p>\n

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