I have been loving the trader joes Indian meals especially the butter chicken and samosas. It really is a problem. Eating frozen meals like this is my way of eating out. Since I am allergic to MSG I can’t eat at any fast food restaurants so when I am wanting something warm and savory like you would get from fast food that is where frozen foods from trader joes and whole foods become my friend. 

Today I want to talk about making your meal a bit healthier. Obviously fresh real whole foods is the best option. I’m not promoting eating frozen meals like this, but the reality is most of us do… Especially when your busy and have kids like me. 

So first things first is picking a frozen meal that you can read all the ingredients and know what they are or at least most of them. Then also looking for organic preservative free foods. Today I’m going to talk about the buttered chicken one from trader joes. However these priciples can translate to most frozen meals.

First is adding a veggie. The one I’m talking about doesn’t come with a veggie…go figure. So I try to add 1-2 servings of vegetable to the plate. I do this by stir frying veggies like a broccoli slaw mixture or really just any veggie that sounds like it will pair well.
Next is to reduce the carbs. This meal comes with rice. While rice can be ok for most people to eat it is a more simple carb. I like to either reduce or take out completely the rice. I then add back something like cauliflower rice that I stir fry up with my vegetables. This meal is filled with sauce so it coats my veggies perfectly which brings the meal all together.
Lastly, stop when your full or try to make sure you aren’t just eating the whole plate because it is there. I find with how I prepare this meal I end up getting full by about 3/4 the plate. So I stop.
With frozen meals you are eating I highly suggest taking some of the recommendations from above. Mainly always error on adding vegetables and reducing the simple carbs.