Frozen entrees are a dieter's best friend...and with good reason. They're convenient, low in calories and come in a variety of meals. Even better, these ready-made meals fit with just about any weight-loss plan. When a Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice or Weight Watchers meal is for lunch, you know the proper portion sizes have already been laid out for you. And where else can you enjoy chicken tenderloins, cornbread stuffing and whipped potatoes for just 5 grams of fat and 240 calories? The problem lies with the fact that most dieters don't look past the fat and calories. Little do they know they're pouring some serious salt into their weight-loss wounds. There is a downside with stocking up on frozen foods. A typical frozen entrée can be loaded with sodium.
That's why it is so important to read the fine print. Before you toss those "healthy" frozen meals into your shopping cart, be sure to go over the nutrition label with a fine-toothed comb. For example, one popular brand offers a chicken fettuccini entrée that contains 700 milligrams per serving. The recommended daily allotment is between 1,500 and 2,400 milligrams for a healthy adult. When you're looking into frozen meals, select ones that have no more than 800 milligrams of sodium. If you can find meals that are labeled with reduced sodium or heart-healthy, that's even better. Too much sodium is problematic for individuals with high blood pressure or other health conditions that necessitate a low-salt diet. To round out a healthy frozen entrée, pair up your low-sodium selection with a small side salad and a piece of fresh fruit.