Healthy Choice meals are low in calories and may be a better choice than many other frozen meal options. While preparing your own fresh, healthy meals may be best for weight loss, Healthy Choice meals can still be a part of your weight loss plan.
Overview Healthy Choice Meals Healthy Choice meals were originally developed in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to offer easy, healthy frozen meals. They comply with the FDA’s guidelines for sodium, fat, and cholesterol intake, and can be a convenient choice for weight- and health-conscious consumers.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762962f2e755-b27d-4266-bde6-959be5a0f9f8 While there are a wide variety of meals to choose from in the frozen food section of your local grocery store, many are high in saturated fat, refined carbohydrates, or other ingredients that may not fit into a healthy diet. Healthy Choice meals may be a good option if you’re trying to lose weight, but it’s still important to read each product’s label to make sure it fits into your weight loss plan.
Protein and Fiber Protein and Fiber for Weight Loss Dietary fiber and protein are both important for weight loss. Dietary fiber helps you feel full without adding calories and can help lower your blood sugar and cholesterol.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629dea5a8c6-50d1-4dd0-b7ce-e0048e1694c1 Protein also helps you feel satisfied by decreasing hunger hormones and increasing the number of calories that your body burns at rest.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762963bcf51c-1b6a-49fe-8104-ef9e318f8450 Healthy Choice meals are high in both dietary fiber and protein. However, some meals contain white rice, which has had the bran and fiber removed during processing. White rice digests more quickly than brown rice and can have a bigger impact on your blood sugar level.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f07b875f-4126-4655-af4a-278ea1166cd5 While other ingredients like vegetables may help provide enough fiber, choosing meals with whole grains may be a better option for weight loss.
Calories Calorie Considerations To lose weight safely, the National Institutes of Health recommends reducing your calorie intake by about 500 to 700 calories per day.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b716db64-40f3-411d-a3ff-f4ba5ea3bfab Reducing your calorie intake more than this can lead to nutrient deficiencies and make it difficult to maintain weight loss due to a slowed metabolism.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762989ee2134-d800-402a-99e4-dfbfbe39dcae The number of calories you need to maintain your current weight are based on factors like age, height, and weight. You can estimate your daily calorie needs with a calorie calculator .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d9d4efae-5e87-4efd-b329-6ec3af0c1e2d Most Healthy Choice meals provide about 200 to 300 calories.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976298a754c27-19de-4748-8088-3b4bf1cadf90 While their low calorie count can help reduce your daily intake, eating Healthy Choice meals alone may not provide enough calories, depending on your needs. If your calorie needs are at the lower end of the spectrum, replacing one or two meals with a Healthy Choice meal may be sufficient. However, if your needs are higher, they may not provide enough energy unless your other meals are more substantial.
Meal Comparison Comparing Healthy Choice Options When choosing a weight loss meal, it’s important to look for products that provide enough calories, are low in sugar and refined carbohydrates, and are a good source of protein and fiber.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f813f67b-95f8-40f3-bd59-d1642001845e Healthy Choice Power Bowls and Simply Steamers contain more vegetables and fiber than some of the other product lines. Power Bowls Healthy Choice Power Bowls are balanced meals with natural protein, high-fiber vegetables, and whole grains.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762911142a73-8db2-45d3-86ce-ff741dfb09b7 Spicy Black Bean & Chicken Power Bowl (grain-free):e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294007888f-71ad-4005-aa17-8be5fbb8a15d Calories 200 Saturated Fat 2 grams (g) Protein 20 g Carbohydrates 19 g Dietary Fiber 7 g Basil Pesto Chicken Power Bowl (grain-free):e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ae7c4b17-c9c1-4d3f-b482-a54f8ec83d99 Calories 220 Saturated Fat 2 g Protein 19 g Carbohydrates 19 g Dietary Fiber 7 g Simply Steamers Similar to Healthy Choice Power Bowls, Simply Steamers offer a variety of high-fiber, high-protein dishes, including vegetarian and gluten-free options. Southwest-Style Chicken Burrito Bowl:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293ed2dac1-d8ab-4e2e-bed7-07e5f703a3bd Calories 280 Saturated Fat 2.5 g Protein 20 g Carbohydrates 36 g Dietary Fiber 6 g Meatball Marinara:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762966791f60-a4a9-4801-8f50-0a2e4e4b1865 Calories 280 Saturated Fat 2.5 g Protein 18 g Carbohydrates 36 g Dietary Fiber 6 g
The Takeaway Healthy Choice meals are low in calories and comply with FDA guidelines for fat, cholesterol, and sodium intake. They are also high in protein and dietary fiber, which can help with weight loss. If your daily calorie needs are on the lower end, Healthy Choice meals can be a good addition to your weight loss plan. However, you may need to supplement with additional meals or snacks if your calorie needs are higher. When choosing Healthy Choice meals, look for options that are higher in fiber and contain whole grains, like brown rice or whole-wheat pasta.
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Can You Lose Weight With Healthy Choice Meals?