Let’s be honest: most of us are busy, which makes it a bit difficult to prepare delicious, nutritious homemade meals every day (although we recommend these all-in-one meals for weight loss). For this reason, you’ll often find yourself heading to the frozen section of the grocery store, where you’ll find convenient ready-to-eat meals that you can put right in the microwave or on top of it. Unfortunately, while there may be plenty of frozen foods (like frozen fruits and vegetables without any additives) that are right for you, the majority of them are highly processed and terrible for your overall health, especially when it comes to your gut. health.
To learn more about the effects of frozen foods on your gut health, and to find out some of the worst options out there, we spoke to nutritionist Lisa Richards, creator of The Candida Diet. She told us that while there are plenty of equally bad frozen foods that you should avoid completely, Totino’s pizza products and Marie Callender’s pies are two that you absolutely must avoid. Learn more below!
1. Totino’s pizzas and pizza rolls
There’s no denying that Totino’s pizza (and even these sneakily delicious pizza rolls) are a tasty and convenient meal. In fact, these frozen foods are a staple in many freezers across America. However, Richards tells us that they can seriously harm your health, including your gut health, if you eat them too often.
“They’re packed with sodium, saturated fats, and preservatives,” says Richards. All of these ingredients can cause inflammation and harm your gut health over time. In addition, the lack of nutrients also poses a health risk. “Their nutrient content is next to zero and their processed nature makes them a highly inflammatory food,” she continues. And when inflammation becomes chronic, it can cause a range of digestive issues, including a leaky gut. “You can save money on food, but you’ll make up for that and more in healthcare costs if it’s a staple in your freezer,” warns Richards.
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2. Marie Callender’s pie
Who can resist a savory, flaky pate from Marie Callender that you can easily reheat in the oven? Unfortunately, Richards says these popular meals are another gut health no-no due to their extremely high sodium content. “When it comes to high-sodium frozen foods, this should be the first dish you think of,” she says.
The health effects of this meal may shock some. After all, it contains a good amount of vegetables and protein. Unfortunately, these pies are far from being a balanced meal; additives and calorie content negate any benefit. “A pie is over 500 calories, nutrient deficient, calories and over 700 mg of sodium,” Richards points out, adding that “the saturated fat content alone makes you wonder if lean meat is actually used”. Say it’s not! It’s best to cook your own healthier version at home. Although it will take longer, it will be better for your body.
The bottom line
All in all, it’s safe to say that there are tons of frozen foods out there that should be avoided, not just for your gut health, but for your overall well-being. Many of these popular items, including Totino’s products and Marie Callender’s pies, are full of processed ingredients that can really upset your body and lead to serious consequences over time. That’s why it’s always important to check the ingredients to stay on top of your health. When in doubt, choosing frozen fruits and vegetables without additives is always a good solution. Or even better, try making a homemade meal that you have complete control over and freeze it for later!
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