At my weight loss meeting tonight the members had a lively discussion about the various merits and drawbacks of using frozen entrees at mealtime. Some were in the camp that those kinds of products are too many calories for too little nutrition and satisfaction, preferring to make healthier meals from fresh ingredients. Others swore by reduced calorie frozen meals as time savers and because of their “known quantity” aspects – at least you have a nutrition label to go by.

I was happy just to be the facilitator and not interject my personal feelings, because I wanted to hear what different people had to say about the issue. I like to think that I’m smart enough to know I don’t have all the answers. It’s informative to hear about the pros and cons from someone else’s perspective.

“In the interests of full disclosure” (as they say), I practically LIVE on frozen entrees – having them for lunch almost every single day. At work, I feel they are the cheapest and healthiest alternative to fast food, and I figure at least I’m getting some kind of vegetables and some type of protein. Besides, when I make my lunch, it’s often kind of boring, because I don’t have much of a repertoire.

Probably the number one reason that I rely on frozen dinners is just that. I have such an intense dislike of cooking and food prep, that I spend as little time as I can pre-making foods to go. I do cut up fruit every morning for breakfast and I do make a beautiful and delicious salad for lunch every day. But that’s the extent of my culinary interest.

Your mileage may vary.