What Are The Best Healthy Frozen Meals For Weight Loss?
Incorporating healthy frozen meals into your diet can be an excellent way to support your weight loss while balancing a busy lifestyle. Frozen food for weight loss is convenient, cost-effective, and nutritionally valuable when chosen mindfully. Dr. Jane, one of our expert weight loss doctors here at The Slimming Clinic, shares her insights on how to choose the best frozen meals for weight loss and highlights her top frozen food choices for health and convenience.
What frozen foods do you feed your family/yourself as a PT and doctor?
“Juggling work and family life can be challenging as it is, let alone trying to maintain a healthy diet. Like most individuals I am often time constrained when it comes to preparing home-cooked meals so it is very often that some element of that meal derives from frozen foods. Frozen foods can enhance the nutritional value, affordability and cuts down the preparation time of many meals.
Frozen vegetables are my number one addition to most meals and these extend further than just frozen peas! Frozen spinach can be a great iron and fibre rich vegetable that I like to add to my omelettes in the morning. They fry up quickly and bring a splash of colour to a meal. Spinach is rich in vitamin C which assists with the absorption of iron.
Frozen fruit, especially berries, are a cheaper alternative to their fresh counterparts (especially when out of season). Like frozen vegetables, they have a longer shelf life and their nutritional value is often as good or if not better than fresh produce. Adding a handful of frozen berries to my post work-out protein shake helps replace my glycogen stores and keeps me satiated until my evening meal.”
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What are the top three frozen foods you always have in your freezer?
- Frozen vegetables and berries: Nutrient-rich and convenient.
- Frozen turkey meatballs: A lean, high-protein option that doesn’t require defrosting and works great with pasta for a quick meal.
- Frozen prawns or fish cakes: Ready-to-cook and ideal for stews or stir-fries. Salmon or tuna-based fish cakes are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and they tend to be less processed and cheaper than their fileted equivalents.
What kind of meals do you make with frozen food?
“The best thing about frozen food is that it is so versatile and can be incorporated into most meals. Frozen vegetables can be more than just a side to roast dinner. I like to add frozen edamame beans to a stir fry to add some plant based protein and fibre to my meal. Edamame is a soy product that is rich in isoflavones which have been shown to have beneficial effects for cardiac health, type 2 diabetes and menopausal symptoms.
I like to use frozen vegetables as a base for my slow cooker meals. Root vegetables such as squash and pumpkin can be fiddly to prepare from fresh so using frozen versions is a great cheat. A family favourite is a slow cooker butternut squash and coconut curry.”
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Do you think frozen foods get a bad rep?
“Historically frozen foods have got a bad rep as they are often misinterpreted as ‘Processed food’ and unfortunately many frozen foods ARE highly processed. We tend to think of burgers, chicken nuggets and ice cream. However, as we have outlined here, there are many healthy frozen foods that can be included as part of a healthy diet. We just need to change our mindset and maybe become a little more creative with our cooking. “
Are there any brands you specifically like because they don’t do Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF)?
“If you stick to whole foods you do not need to be concerned with brands because they will be less likely to be processed. A good rule of thumb is to look at the ingredients list and if it has more than three ingredients in it you can consider it processed in some form. If you are considering frozen ready meals – The brands Charlie Bingham and Deliciously Ella do low UPF frozen meals. There’s also Field Doctor which delivers directly to your home and are low UPF and generally nutritionally well balanced.“
Read more about ultra-processed foods on the NHS website.
Start Eating Healthy Frozen Meals For Your Weight Loss
By choosing wisely, healthy frozen foods for weight loss can be a valuable ally in maintaining a balanced diet without the need for hours of prep time. As Dr. Jane suggests, opting for frozen fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can provide essential nutrients while fitting into a busy lifestyle. Embrace the convenience of frozen food options as part of your healthy eating plan, and make mindful choices for lasting, positive results.
If you’d like more information about your weight loss diet, why not book an appointment with our expert dietitian who can help you reassess your diet with expert advice and guidance to help you with your meal prep and planning.