10 Frozen Foods Nutritionists Actually Buy
Updated: Feb. 24, 2020
Beyond fruits and vegetables, nutritionists also eat everything from frozen bread to pre-cooked meals. Here are some of their favorite picks
Nutritionist-approved frozen food buys
There are a lot of things you can buy in the frozen food aisle, and some of the options are healthier than others. You can get ice cream, pizza, and french fries, of course, but those shelves are also stocked with things like frozen vegetables. There are quick-to-prepare foods that are healthy but you may need to choose carefully.
Nutritionists from around the country share what’s on the top of their frozen foods must-have list, including foods they buy fresh and freeze, or pick up from the frozen foods section. (Hint: Pizza is included too.)
Vegetables
It’s not surprising that nutritionists love keeping frozen fruits and vegetables at home, but it’s still worth mentioning. For Deborah Malkoff-Cohen, MS, RD, CDN, CDE, a New York City-based registered dietitian, keeping pre-chopped veggies in her fridge is one way to make sure she is always prepared to create healthy meals. However, she also buys, chops, and freezes whole, fresh vegetables based on what is available and budget-friendly.
“I keep these to make homemade soups,” she says. “I add extra frozen vegetables like butternut squash, peas, broccoli, spinach; or anything spiralized whatever I have on hand.” Some of her favorite frozen vegetables include spinach, butternut squash, peas, broccoli, and carrots. She even bulk-makes the soup and freezes it already made. (Here are 13 weight-loss products nutritionists never buy—and neither should you.)
Nuts and seeds
Peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and other nuts are nutritional powerhouses that are a fantastic source of plant-based protein, healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins and minerals, says Malina Linkas Malkani, MS, RDN, CDN, media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Keeping these nuts, as well as seeds in the freezer, however, is a little-known hack Malkani uses to keep them fresh. “Because of their high oil content, nuts and seeds can go rancid within a few weeks if not stored properly,” she says. “Freezing is a great option that helps me save money and prevent food waste.”
The nuts freeze well for a year, or even longer, in a well-sealed, freezer-safe container, Malkani says. Bonus tip: She suggests adding them to smoothies, soups, stews, dips, casseroles, baked goods, or using them to top salads and yogurt.
Bread
Frozen bread is a popular staple amongst nutritionists. Kris Sollid, RD, senior director of nutrition communications at the International Food Information Council Foundation, says he freezes everything from sandwich bread and English muffins to baguettes and bagels. Not only does freezing make the bread last longer, stretching your dollar, but it also doesn’t change the taste or consistency of the bread.
Sollid tries to eat 100 percent whole wheat bread most of the time. “Whole grains provide fiber, which is good for health in many ways,” he says. “Fiber can help lower cholesterol, lower the risk for certain types of cancer, improve blood sugar control, keep you feeling full for longer and, most importantly for some, relieve constipation.” Most Americans eat only half the recommended amount—38 grams for men and 25 grams for women—per day, Sollid says. Although, Malkani recommends sprouted grain breads which are also a good source of fiber, are more easily digestible, and last two to three months in a freezer-safe bag. She suggests toasting some slices for breakfast, using it for sandwiches, or tossing it in the food processor to make breadcrumbs for various recipes.
Amy’s Kitchen meals
A registered dietitian, Carol Aguirre, MS, RD, LDN, recommends Amy’s Kitchen products for anyone who wants to be more health conscious. Their food is from certified-organic farms, offers no hydrogenated fats, eggs, meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, or peanuts. “My favorite is the Vegan Spinach Ravioli Bowl,” she says. There are 12 grams of protein, five grams of fiber, and one and a half grams of saturated fat per bowl. “This is a great option for a work lunch meal, and you can read and pronounce all the ingredients,” she adds. Sometimes Aguirre adds veggies to get more antioxidants in the meal. (These are the 13 nutrients even nutritionists don’t get enough of.)
Dr. Prager’s meals
This brand offers a hearty breakfast bowl that’s a great start for your morning thanks to the high protein content, Aguirre says. “There’s no excuse to skip breakfast,” she says. “This breakfast bowl has 270 calories, 12 grams of protein, and 450 milligrams of sodium.” The high-quality protein will keep you alert and energized first thing in the morning.
Caulipower pizza
Caulipower offers frozen gluten-free, cauliflower pizza crusts that are a great alternative to a traditional pie thanks to fewer calories. “I usually add broccoli, bell peppers, and onions on top of the pie to increase the veggie and antioxidant content,” Aguirre says. “I also add lean chicken to increase the protein content.” For half a Caulipower pie, there are 12 grams of protein, 5 grams of saturated fat, 3 grams of fiber, and 470 milligrams of sodium. Here are 9 canned foods nutritionists actually buy—and 2 they don’t.
Luvo meals
Anyone who wants to increase their plant-based meal intake should try out Luvo for their interesting flavor combinations. This brand offers no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners, Aguirre says. Her favorite is the Chana Masala which has 17 grams of fiber, 11 grams of protein, and only one gram of saturated fat. Again, she likes to add some extra veggies to increase the antioxidant factor as well as one or two hard-boiled eggs for more protein, too.
Proteins
Freezing, or buying pre-frozen proteins, is a great way to save time and money on meal prep. Malkoff-Cohen makes lean turkey meatballs and meat sauce in bulk and freezes it for the week. She buys frozen wild salmon and shrimp, too. “The wild salmon I take out the night before to defrost and bake in the oven,” she says. “Shrimp is so easy to just stir-fry with veggies.” These are the 15 foods nutritionists always buy at Costco.
Rice
Celebrity dietitian Lisa DeFazio, MS, RD, in Los Angeles, buys steam bags of frozen rice to make for a quick car side dish. “Rice is a great source of whole grains and carbohydrates, but takes a while to make,” she says. “Frozen rice is just as nutritious and ready in minutes.”
Fries
Yes, fries can be part of a healthy diet. DeFazio likes the Alexia frozen sweet potato fries for a healthy side dish since they are both tasty and healthy. These all-natural fries are made with sea salt and are ready in 20 minutes. Next, check out the 50 things nutritionists never eat—so you shouldn’t either.
- Deborah Malkoff-Cohen, MS, RD, CDN, CDE, a New York City-based registered dietitian
- Malina Linkas Malkani, MS, RDN, CDN, media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, New York City
- Kris Sollid, RD, senior director of nutrition communications at the International Food Information Council Foundation, Washington, D.C.
- Carol Aguirre, MS, RD, LDN, a Florida-based registered dietitian
- Lisa DeFazio, MS, RD, a registered dietitian in Los Angeles
