A Healthy Choice

Sometimes when Andy is away overnight, I just nosh all evening instead of having a proper dinner. A handful of nuts, some cheese and crackers, maybe the last few bites of whatever's on the kids' plates. Other times I really feel like having something, but I generally don't feel like making something. So I was happy when Mom Central asked me to sample a couple of Healthy Choice frozen entrees—delivered right to my door in a freezer pack!

The Healthy Choice entrees I received are from the new "All Natural" line. They contain no preservatives and are made from ingredients like whole-grain pasta and extra-virgin olive oil. Last week when Andy was out one night, the kids and I tried them out. The first one was something I would never have bought on my own, Roasted Red Pepper Marinara. It's just not my favorite flavor, so, predictably, I didn't love it. However, Julie sure did! She ate most of it for her dinner. The other one was more my speed (and Pete's!): Creamy Basil Pesto. It had broccoli and tomatoes in a lightly creamy pesto cheese sauce. Delicious! Both were made with 9-grain cavatappi pasta. (NINE grains?! Yes, NINE grains!! Wheat, barley, rye, oats, amaranth, quinoa, millet, sorghum, and teff.)

The two entrees I tried had 250/270 calories, and 7/6 grams of fat, with 10 grams of protein. They were lowish in sodium (450/580 mg) too. I think I will seek out these products next time I'm at the market, so that I can have something on hand whenever I want a quick but hearty meal. I'm interested in trying some of the other varieties, like Lobster Ravioli and Sweet Asian Potstickers.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Healthy Choice and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Comments

[Margaret]

I'll have to watch for those on-sale; I think I would like both of them. Probably the potstickers too, but I don't like lobster.

[Elena]

Sounds like something I might like to bring to work to have for lunch. I hate sandwiches--they make me gag.

[Kerri]

So you know that drinking game "I Never"? I've actually never played it (pun not intended!), but if I ever do, I have a few good ones stored up. One is that I've never eaten a frozen meal. Nothing against them, and some of them look downright tasty. I've seen the commercials for these and they do look good. I think I would try these, but now it's like a thing...I've never had one, so I can't start now! Maybe I will have to break down after your descriptions, though!

[Karen]

I don't buy the kind that are loaded with preservatives and tons of sodium, but there are some good ones out there nowadays. In addition to this new line, if you check your local Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, I think you'll be surprised! As you know, I love to cook, so I'm not the kind of person who would plan to serve a frozen dinner, but these are very handy to have around.

[Rivster]

I don't know...I still like a bowl of cereal when I'm on my own for dinner...

Obviously lobster is of no interest. But I might actually try the Creamy Basil Pesto...

Thanks!