I know that a healthy frozen dinner could seem like a contradiction in terms, but that’s also very last century. Whether you’re limiting meat, fat, and carbs or simply maximizing your intake of healthy fiber and nutrients, there are so many convenient and cheap options that it would be a pity not to mention them.
Well, interesting ingredient options are more and more available, from popular superfoods to new takes on old standbys such as cauliflower. The majority of the choices compiled here are less than $6 per package and also represent a healthy option when you’re searching for a new dish to try.
The more expensive items will make multiple savings automatically. We managed to detail the prices and where you can find frozen entrees, vegetables, fruits, and sides at some of the nation’s chain stores, but also at regional stores.
Edamame
You’ll be happy to know that they only cost $3.99, and you can find them at Trader Joe’s. Whether you find them in the pod or out, these tender and super tasty immature soybeans are a wonderful snack or side dish. A single serving has a quarter of the needed daily dose of vitamin C and three grams of protein. Moreover, they have zero cholesterol and a scant 20 milligrams of sodium.
Lean Cuisine Marketplace: Chicken Cashew Stir-Fry
This one costs $3.58 and can be found at Walmart. This is quite virtuous as ready meals go. There aren’t any artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors. There wasn’t any gluten, either. The tasty Asian-inspired meal offers a full 14 grams of protein per serving, along with 40% of your day’s vitamin A requirement and only 2 grams of fat.
Brussels sprouts
The cost of Brussels sprouts is $1.69, and they can be found at Kroger. If you want to bring out these tasty and tiny cabbages and cook them in a delicious fashion, you will be happy to know you can find them all year round, not only when you’re making a holiday turkey.
A portion of Brussels sprouts packs around 11% of the daily amount of fiber you need and 90% of your vitamin C. Only 45 calories and 15 milligrams of sodium, which again is as healthy as it gets. Luckily, Brussels sprouts are completely inexpensive and heart-healthy.
Boca all-American burgers
The cost of Boca all-American burgers is around $3.46, and you can find them at Walmart. If you’re searching for some protein in a hamburger without all that nasty saturated fat, you will be pleased to know these little beauties fit the bill. Their 14 grams of protein get very close to a burger of the same size, but they also pack the needed amount of calcium and iron and only 4.5 grams of fat.
Sliced peaches
The cost of a 1-cup portion of sliced peaches is $2.68, and you can find it at Walmart. Fresh and ripe peaches are probably one of the summer’s greatest delights, but they’re also very fragile. And since peak season is so short, the frozen version is a fantastic option for anyone who lives outside of the peach-growing country.
One cup of frozen peaches accounts for only 80 calories, but it also provides 8% of your day’s fiber, which is almost four times the daily recommended dose of vitamin C. But that’s not all, as they also pack other valuable quantities of vitamins and minerals our bodies need to properly function.
Amy’s Whole Meals cheese enchilada
Have you ever tried these enchiladas? You can find them at Target for only $5.89. It’s probably one of the best comfort foods you could ever ask for, and it also happens to be quite healthy. The single-serving container packs 16 grams of protein, 21% of your day’s fiber, and a lot of calcium and iron, too.
Organic chopped kale
Who doesn’t love kale? You can find it at Trader Joe’s for only $3.69. Of course, frozen kale won’t work too well in a salad, but it’s amazing for soups, smoothies, and stir-fries. Unlike the fresh kind, you won’t have to worry about it spoiling in your crisper drawer.
Even in its frozen form, it’s nutritional gold, providing a whole day’s worth of vitamin A but also needed amounts of calcium, vitamin C, and iron. Naturally, you could save more if you’re able to grow your own kale and then freeze it.
Saffron Road, Palak Paneer
If you’re yearning for some saffron road palak paneer, you can find it for only $5.99 at Whole Foods. This is one of the best dishes you could ever try in India’s largely vegetable-based cuisine. Many of them are available in the form of healthy frozen meals.
This particular one, with cheese and spinach over a bed of basmati rice, offers 14% of the daily amount of fiber you should eat and half of your vitamin A, but also 37% of the daily needs for calcium and vitamin C.
Organic rice cauliflower
The cost of one is only $2.29, and you can easily find it at Target. The whole idea behind low-carb meals is that they are a healthy replacement for your favorite starchy foods, and one of the best ones, actually. A serving contains almost no fat and a total of 4 grams of carbs, checking in with 45% of the day’s requirement for vitamin C, too.
Cafe steamers, pineapple chicken
The cost of one chicken is $3.12, and you can find it at Walmart. There’s truly a lot to like in this delicious Asian-inspired meal. First, let’s start with its bright, bold flavors.
If you look a bit closer, you will discover it packs 16 grams of protein, which is a substantial and much-needed amount for anyone who wants to take care of their health; no less than 11% of your day’s fiber; 30% of your vitamin C; and other substantial qualities of trace minerals like phosphorus, selenium, and manganese.
Great-value root blends
The cost of one is $2.68, and you can easily find it at Walmart. This pack is filled with pre-sliced beets, carrots, and parsnips, but also sweet potatoes, and you can heat it up in the oven or on the stovetop. Every single bag has about seven servings, only 50 calories, and no fat per serving. It can also add nutrition as a side dish or even as part of the recipe.
Lean Cuisine Spa Collection butternut squash ravioli
If these ravioli sound appealing to you, you’ll be happy to know that they only cost $3.99, and you can find them at Target. And speaking of healthy frozen dinners, this one’s definitely one of the best ones. It’s the ideal creamy comfort food that manages to pack 14% of your day’s fiber and 15% of the daily amount of calcium needed. Moreover, it only packs 300 calories and only 7 grams of fat.
Frozen mango chunks
This is my favorite one yet. You can find it at Fred Meyer for only $9.99. It’s available in many different brands, and these frozen mango pieces are ready to use anytime in baked goods, smoothies, salsas, chutneys, and many other recipes.
This specific private selection of tropical mango chunks is frozen ripe, and they’re honestly delicious. Each serving has 7% of your day’s fiber needs and 50% of your vitamin C, with plenty of trace minerals, too. If you can’t find the time to go to your local Fred Meyer, you can get this alternative.
If you enjoyed reading this article, we also recommend checking: 8 Pantry Must-Haves During Winter
