Diet

10 Best and Worst Frozen Foods You Can Eat

When you're stocking up on frozen food for those no-time-to-cook nights, here's what to avoid -- and the healthier alternatives that won't wreck your diet

by Kate Wertheimer

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Take a stroll down the frozen food aisle at your local grocery store and you'll be surrounded by boxes with dishes that look deceptively appetizing (hello Photoshop) -- and have tempting labels like "low fat," "light," and "high protein." But are any of these "healthy" frozen dinners actually good for you?

Click here to see the 10 worst frozen foods you can eat.

As a smart shopper, you've hopefully learned to take all product packaging with a sizeable grain of salt, but frozen meals in particular can trip you up with misleading labels and hidden health horrors. "Most frozen meals are high in sugar and sodium, contain tons of preservatives, and don't have much to offer in terms of fruits, vegetables, or fiber," says Laura Cipullo, a registered dietician and certified diabetes instructor in New York City.

While that news is a bit depressing for all of us too time-crunched to do more than pop a frozen dinner in the microwave, there is some hope. For every chemical-laden, fat-filled meal out there, there is a comparable option with better ingredients, less fat, and even a few veggies thrown in for good measure. Check out this list of the 10 worst frozen food offenders, along with healthier frozen dinners that still taste delicious.

SEE NEXT PAGE: The Worst: Kashi Sweet and Sour Chicken

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Older comments

I also didn't see the best listed, but that's ok because I don't really eat much frozen foods.

by PrincessBear3 Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 01:37PM Report as inappropriate

I didn't see the best listed, but I've been eating some of these "worst"!

by EricaC123 Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 03:18PM Report as inappropriate

I thought this slide had some 'best', where are they?

by nicky22 Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 10:05AM Report as inappropriate

No processed foods for me!

by Ydabney Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 09:37AM Report as inappropriate

Good to know, fortunately I don't eat those so I'm okay, phew, dodged a bullet!!

by morgan_ledford Friday, December 28, 2012 at 07:49AM Report as inappropriate

Microwaved food is so gross, the sodium in them are ridiculous!

by MizzPink Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 06:48AM Report as inappropriate

All of these seem bad for you, even the preferred items.

by robyne00 Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 02:07PM Report as inappropriate

I've never had any of these!

by Chris213 Monday, October 8, 2012 at 06:11PM Report as inappropriate

Wait - where's the best? Did I miss it?

by schien Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 04:04PM Report as inappropriate

Ugh! I am so skeeved out by most frozen foods or pretty much anything that is quick and you can toss in the microwave. Most of that stuff has so much sodium in it that it scares me. I know its time consuming to cool a meal from scratch but I'm starting to think that it may be worth it in the end.

by msbrown822 Friday, May 11, 2012 at 10:40AM Report as inappropriate