Instant food. Most experts recommend not eating it, and the nutrition label usually boasts enough sodium to fill a salt-shaker, but for the average overachieving student, the convenience is unbeatable.
There are a ton of brands to choose from, each with its own USP, but I’ll try to create a decent guide to fit everyone’s dietary desires.
Vegetarians and vegans alike often flock to Boca and Morning Star products. They’re made especially for people who choose not to eat meat, and though they do have products with vegetables and soy only, they also have meat-replacement products, such as imitation burger patties. They’re great if you come from a family of meat-eaters or like to barbecue.
Amy’s Kitchen is another great option for vegetarians, but it’s also good for healthy eaters. Many of them are gluten free, trans-fat-free or organic. You won’t find all of their extensive options at a Columbia grocery store, but Amy’s Kitchen offers a large variety of pastas, pizza and ethnic dinners.
For the super busy, who usually have to eat on campus, or for a decent late-night study snack, try Smucker’s Uncrustables. They’re pricey for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but they’re super easy to throw in a bag and eat later, with relatively few fears on a food explosion in your bag. Plus, who wants to spread peanut butter and jelly anyway?
For the price-conscious, try a Banquet Pot Pie. They’re less than $1 at Walmart and taste great for the price. That’s really where the good news stops. At more than 40 percent daily fat value and high sodium and cholesterol, I wouldn’t recommend eating them often.
For dieters, there are a lot of low calorie headlines on the boxes, but the Lean Cuisine brand is generally healthy with a lot of options. I’m a fan of their steamers. They take almost 10 minutes in the microwave, but the flavor is good and the noodles don’t get that crusted microwave feel.
Although there isn’t one in Columbia, Trader Joe’s has highly rated options. Heateatreview.com, which rates frozen foods, lists their options and health data. Trader Joe’s offers low-fat, ethnic and even dessert foods.
There is some stuff to watch for if you eat frozen food like it’s a food group. Check the sodium levels. That’s usually the highest of all the nutrition guide levels. Fat will also be high, even if calories are low, and don’t trick yourself into thinking all calories are equal. Fat calories will not last as long as calories from protein or complex carbohydrates. You might also want to check the protein if you don’t eat much meat. Usually frozen foods have very low protein levels. If you’re going to read every label, bring a sweater to the frozen food aisle.