Consumer Reports recently evaluated frozen meals, assessing over 250 options across 10 brands for taste, quality, and nutrition. Registered dietitian Amy Keating noted that the focus was on brands that prioritize wholesome ingredients and health benefits, such as Amy’s, Blue Zones Kitchen, and Trader Joe’s.
The standout performers were Amy’s and Blue Zones, both of which received high marks for taste and nutrition across all tested products. Trader Joe’s also featured several top choices, like its Chicken Burrito Bowl.
The study indicated that vegetarian and grain-based meals typically outperformed meat-based options, which tend to be higher in sodium. Keating advised consumers to critically evaluate nutrition labels instead of relying on marketing claims, recommending meals with lower sodium, higher fiber, and minimal added sugars. As a rule of thumb, aim for frozen meals with 700 milligrams of sodium or less, at least 6 grams of fiber, and limited saturated fat.
