FROZEN FOODS CHALLENGE
By Paige Green, Hy-Vee Dietitian on Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Build a balanced plate with convenient ingredients right from the frozen department. Aim to combine a protein, a grain, a vegetable and a fruit at most meals for a variety of nutrients. Frozen foods are a big help for planning highly nutritious meals with a low level of difficulty. For a fun challenge, let’s walk through what a meal prepared from all frozen food products might look like.
When shopping in the frozen department, it can be helpful to compare nutrition labels. Keep in mind things like protein and fiber will help you feel full and satiated; we want these nutrients to be higher while keeping saturated fat and sodium levels lower. Glance at the ingredient list to look for anything added. The frozen department is filled with vegetables, fruits and grains like brown rice that have nothing else added to them. You can prepare an entire meal in minutes utilizing products entirely from the frozen department.
Here are a Hy-Vee dietitian’s top picks in the frozen department across various food groups:
1. Start by picking meat, seafood or something plant-based that provides a good source of protein.
Tyson Grilled & Ready chicken breast strips
Trident Alaska salmon burgers
MorningStar Farms black bean burgers
2. Next pair it with a whole grain that is a good source of fiber, or choose a frozen meal that already combines both protein and a whole grain.
Birds Eye whole grain brown rice
Healthy Choice beef and broccoli
3. Then add a vegetable as a side to fill half your plate.
Birds Eye Steamfresh Asian Medley
Birds Eye Steamfresh riced cauliflower
Hy-Vee broccoli florets
4. Next add fruit to your plate – or glass, with a smoothie.
Hy-Vee unsweetened red raspberries
Frozen avocado chunks
5. Finish the meal with a satisfying sweet treat if you desire.
Hy-Vee vanilla ice cream cups
Tru Fru Nature’s cherries frozen fresh in white and dark chocolate
Challenge accomplished!
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
