Frozen foods are budget friendly, convenient and have a great shelf life. They save you time and effort when it comes to making meals at home. Frozen fruits and veggies are picked at their best and frozen right away, so you can enjoy in-season produce all year without breaking the bank. You can also look to the freezer section for meat, fish, and main dishes to keep on-hand for nights when you’re too busy or too tired to cook.
Here are some ways frozen foods can help make mealtime quick and easy:
- Save time by using breaded chicken strips in your chicken parmesan or grilled chicken strips in your enchiladas.
- Pair a frozen heat-and-serve grain and veggie mix with your homemade main dish—it’s a great shortcut!
- Stock up on frozen vegetables – they're a quick and easy way to add veggies to any meal, either as a side dish or as an addition to casseroles or soups.
- Top a frozen cheese pizza with veggies from the frozen aisle (peppers and onions, broccoli, or spinach, perhaps?) and balance out the meal with a side salad.
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Frozen Foods: Know Before You Go
- Check for added sodium and sugar, especially in veggies, fruits, meat or entrees that have sauces or marinades on them.
- If buying frozen dinners or main dishes, choose ones with a good balance: a protein, a veggie, and a starch (bonus if the starch is a whole grain). Some frozen dinners can be higher in sodium and saturated fats, so compare labels to find ones that are right for you.
- Shop for fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains in the freezer section. They'll help you meet your MyPlate goals while saving lots of time and effort in the kitchen.