Hidden Danger in Frozen Foods

I like frozen entrees. They are pretty much a dieter's best friend. They are very convenient, low in calories and have a variety of meals to choose from. The upside is that they fit with just about any weight loss plan you use. On the downside, frozen entrees can be loaded with sodium. Too much can be a big problem for people with high blood pressure or health conditions that require low sodium. The best thing to do is check the nutritional content on each meal before purchasing.

As said in www.dietdetective.com, if the word healthy is on the box, the federal law requires that the product contain less than 3 grams of fat for every 100 grams and no more than 30 percent of calories from fat. The sodium content must not be more than 600 milligrams. Here is a few example of sodium content in entrees:

Smart Ones Fajita Chicken Supreme(9.25 oz) = 650mg sodium

Healthy Choice Beef Merlot (10 oz) = 600mg sodium

Lean Cuisine's Chicken Chow Mein (9 oz) = 670mg sodium

Life Choice Chicken Parmesan (12.35 oz) = 1,110mg sodium

Another big mistake with some people is that they think all frozen foods are precooked and only need to be warmed. Foods can be prepared to look precooked like chicken that is pre-browned or breaded. Any microwave dish can be unsafe if not heated thoroughly. Know your microwave and its voltage. Experts say to use an instant-read thermometer to check the final temperature of your food. Check many places of the food to ensure no cold spots. Federal guidelines say that raw chicken containing foods should be heated to 165 degrees F.

Since a microwave's wattage can deteriorate over time, test your microwave. Place several ice cubes in a bowl of water, stir to make water icey cold, then remove ice. Measure 1 cup of the cold water and set in microwave. Heat high for 4 minutes, while watching to see when water boils. This will tell your ovens wattage. If less than 2 minutes, at least 1000 watts. For 21/2 minutes, about 800 watts, and 3 or more minutes, around 700 watts or less.

Just remember that there are a big variety of frozen foods out there. Keep your sodium intake low, your vegetables high, and calories low. Read the nutritious facts on the back or side of the box, and be healthy.

Source:

http://www.ifood.tv/blog/dangers_of_frozen_food