My Weight Loss Journey | The Best Frozen Food Options

This post brought to you by Frozen Food Foundation. All opinions are 100% mine.

So, I have mentioned several times lately how I am trying to lose the baby weight (even though my baby is almost a year, yikes) and I am happy to report that I have been making big progress lately (only five more pounds to go) despite the holiday treats that are e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e. I know you all want to know how I’m doing it, so today I am going to tell you my secrets.

I basically have had two critical keys to the weeks when I’m successful. Firstly I count my calories (I use the free lose it app) and secondly I stock up on frozen produce and low-cal frozen meals.

Everyone is different, but I have found that for me losing weight is primarily about what I eat (or don’t eat, sorry ice cream) I could work out like a maniac and still not lose weight because I eat like a huge mans portions…. anyway…

As far as counting calories, frozen foods have saved my crazy busy mommy bum.. literally! I eat frozen fruits in my smoothie every morning for breakfast, frozen veggies as sides and snacks, and multiple times a week grab a lean pocket or a lean cuisine for lunch as I’m running out the door. Let’s be honest, if I didn’t have a quick, healthy, ready made option I would totally be swinging through a drive through on my way to wherever.

Also, it is a common misconception that frozen foods aren’t as healthy as fresh foods. The Frozen Food Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering scientific research, public awareness and education regarding the nutritional value of frozen foods, recently conducted a survey to comparing fresh fruits and vegetables to frozen fruits and vegetables. The study compares the nutrient content of eight commonly purchased frozen and fresh fruits and vegetables: blueberries, strawberries, broccoli, green beans, corn, spinach, cauliflower and green peas. The study results reveal that, in many cases, the nutritional value – namely the amounts of Vitamins A, C and folate – of frozen fruits and vegetables is greater than that of fresh-stored produce owing nutrient degradation resulting from long storage time. Click to read more details on A study conduced by the Frozen Food Foundation and University of Georgia.

Here are the brands of frozen foods and veggies that I find myself going back to again and again:1) Lean Cuisine has so many delicious, low cal, meal options. I am a pasta lover and when you are counting calories that doesn’t happen very often, so I love that when I can’t kill the craving I can reach for one of these and know it will be the right serving size!

2) Healthy Choice has lots of awesome meal options as well, but recently I have discovered their Greek Frozen Yogurts and I am in love! Perfect to satisfy my after dinner sweet tooth without falling off the wagon!

3) Lean Pockets and 4) Bird’s Eye. The above picture is a totally typical lunch for me these days. The best thing about veggies is that they have like, hardly any calories. I can eat the whole bag and not feel guilty at all, and Bird’s Eye brand is my very favorite.

5) Green Giant veggie steamers have fun and yummy sauces to make your veggies a little more exciting for pickier (say toddler?) eaters. I typically will whip up a bag of these and keep them ready in the fridge so that I can grab a few bites whenever I need a quick snack!

6) Buitoni pastas are amazing! They are actually in the refrigerated section at my local grocer, and they taste so fresh and filling. Great weeknight meals!

7) Marie Calendars meals are delicious. They are often a little higher in calories, so I usually use them as a dinner meal, or for the hubs who needs a lot more than I do! They are totally packed with veggies (even the pasta dishes) and always satisfy.

I hope this post will help some of you other busy mommas in your own weight loss efforts! Check out the frozen food aisle next time you’re at the store, you won’t regret it! *Bonus, there are often great coupons for frozen food items that make these things super affordable, so keep your eyes open!

Make sure you hop over to check out the Frozen Food Foundation Facebook or Frozen Food Foundation Twitter to get more updates and ideas for using your frozen produce!

xoxo,

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