A new research conducted at Experimental Biology (EB) 2015 by ConAgra Foods, Inc., one of North America's largest food firms, finds that single-serve frozen meals were equally beneficent or better than expensive diet programmes for weight management.
Led by Kristin Reimers, PhD, RD, the study revealed that the frozen meals sold at groceries, measured ounce for ounce, often contained the same benefits (nutrient and calorie-wise) -- or more -- than the diets prescribed by exclusive weight loss programmes.
Keri Gans, registered dietician and author of The Small Change Diet, said: "Many think there is something nutritionally unique about the meal options that come with a contract and hefty price tag, and that's just not the case! Certain pre-portioned frozen meals, like those from Healthy Choice, are flavourful and satisfying and provide the same benefits for those managing their weight.
"Not only are frozen meals generally less expensive and more accessible than diet meals, like those from Jenny Craig and NutriSystem, they also offer equal - or better - calorie, saturated fat and sodium savings as the diet program meals. What more could you ask for?"
The research was conducted on 114 adult women, who had no knowledge of the brands used for the study.
Healthy Choice of ConAgra Foods represented frozen meals and NutriSystem and Jenny Craig represented diet programmes. A majority of the women chose Healthy Choice over the other two for its descriptive attributes and sensory characteristics. On top of that, the participants were able to evaluate the foods given to them better when they were made aware of each meal's nutritional facts.
ConAgra Foods, Inc., maker of brands such as Banquet, Hebrew National, PAM, Marie Callender's, Slim Jim, Peter Pan and Snack Pack along with the frozen meal and entree specialist Healthy Choice, offers a cheaper and better tasting approach towards weight management right in your freezer, suggests the study.
