We all want to prepare healthy meals and snacks from scratch for our families. But the truth is there just isn't enough time to do this every single day. Some days, we need a quick fix for dinner. Rather than turn to greasy, expensive take-out, stock up your freezer. There are lots of quick, healthy options for dinner in the frozen aisle of your grocery store.
Veggies
Vegetables are frozen in a nutrient-rich state, which means they can be even more nutritious than fresh veggies, which are often picked before they are ripe and therefore not as nutritious as they'd be if allowed to ripen on the vine. Choose organic USDA "U.S. Fancy" over U.S. No. 1 or No. 2, and rather than boil them, microwave or steam them to retain water-soluble vitamins. Cascadian Farm is a great brand that even offers coupons on occasion.
Fruits
It's always great to have fresh fruit around, except if you let it go bad before you remember to eat it. Plus, in the off-season, it is hard to keep your child's favorite fruits in stock. Check the freezer isle. You can find organic frozen blueberries, cherries, raspberries, and strawberries. They are perfect to mix into your oatmeal or yogurt, or to give to your kids for a healthy snack.
Sides
Have you ever forgotten about the potatoes you bought and found them sprouting and rotting in the back of your pantry? You aren't alone. Luckily, you can buy frozen organic cut potatoes, hash browns and fries. You can also find rice like Trader Joe's Frozen Organic Brown Rice, which only takes a few minutes in the microwave rather than the 40 minutes of boiling rice on the stove.
Meals
Frozen meals are often filled with sodium and fat. Choose wisely. Dr. Praeger's California Veggie Burger is a great option for a quick meal, as is any meal from Kashi's All-Natural Entrée line. Whole Life Meals by Organic Bistro will also help you eat healthy in a hurry. And believe it or not, there are healthy frozen pizzas. Make sure the calorie count is around 300, the sodium content is no higher than 600mg, and there is zero trans fat. The higher the fiber, the better.
Turning to your freezer for a meal doesn't make you a lazy parent. Just remember to read the labels to ensure you are feeding your family the healthiest option. And feel the product if you can. If frozen veggies, fruits, or bagged meals are clumped up, it means they have been defrosted and refrozen. Don't buy them.
