These Frozen Foods Are Among the Worst for Iowans

Groceries have become very expensive in recent months.

While it may be tempting to save a few bucks and buy precooked frozen meals that you can quickly heat and eat, there are several reasons to check the labels, not just the price tag.

Many frozen meals are ridiculously high in saturated fat, sodium, added sugars, and ultra‑processed ingredients. In other words, they're horrible for you.

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Saving a few dollars in exchange for your or your family's health isn't a great trade-off.

Frozen Meals: The Worst of the Worst

Many frozen meals are nutrient-poor with little fiber, protein, or real nutritional value. They may fill you up for less than fresh food, and save you time because they're fast, but at what cost?

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And I don't mean monetary.

Often full of preservatives, artificial flavors, and refined carbs, frozen meals can contribute to health issues.

The folks at Eat This, Not That recently ranked the worst offenders in the frozen foods aisle.

Iowans should avoid these at all costs, no matter the financial cost.

7. Stouffer’s Chicken Alfredo Family Size

• Nutrition: per serving 1 cup serving Calories: 320 Fat: 13g (Saturated fat: 8 g) Sodium: 970 mg Carbs: 33g (Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g) Protein: 18g

6. Marie Callender’s Sweet & Sour Chicken Frozen Meal

• Nutrition: per serving 1 meal Calories: 570 Fat: 16g (Saturated fat: 2.5 g) Sodium: 1,070 mg Carbs: 89g (Fiber: 4g , Sugar: 28g) Protein: 16g

5. Banquet Mega Meals Bacon Cheddar Patty

• Nutrition: 1 meal Calories: 560 Fat: 34g (Saturated fat:  12g) Sodium:1,280 mg Carbs: 38g (Fiber: 4g , Sugar: 8g) Protein: 23g

4. Stouffer’s Large Salisbury Steak

• Nutrition (Per package): Calories: 580 Fat: 22g (Saturated Fat: 12 g) Sodium: 1,680 mg Carbs: 48g (Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 7 g) Protein: 39g

3. Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Hot Dog Chili Bowl ‘N’ Cheesy Tots with Beef Chili & Nacho Cheese Sauce

• Nutrition: per bowl Calories: 520 Fat: 36g (Saturated fat:  14g) Sodium: 1,840mg Carbs: 29g (Fiber: 2g , Sugar: 5g) Protein: 22g

2. Hungry Man Selects Boneless Fried Chicken and Ham

• Nutrition: per serving 1 package Calories: 590 Fat: 21g (Saturated fat:  4.5g) Sodium: 1,920mg Carbs: 71g (Fiber: 5g , Sugar: 39g) Protein: 27g

1. Hungry Man Double Meat Bowls, Breaded Chicken Alfredo

• Nutrition: per serving 1 meal Calories: 620 Fat: 27g (Saturated fat:  5g) Sodium: 2,140mg Carbs: 65g (Fiber: 3g , Sugar: 4g) Protein: 29g

Frozen Foods Are Not All Bad

Even beyond brand names, many frozen meals, especially heavily processed, high-fat, high-sodium options, are outpaced by healthier whole-food alternatives or nutrient-dense frozen choices (like fruit, vegetables, or simple grain bowls).

If you’re grabbing something from the freezer, especially on a busy Iowa workweek, you’ll want to skip items like Hot Pockets, pot pies, and breakfast-on-a-stick meals.

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These will slow you down, without adding any real fuel. If the label has more ingredients than a typical kitchen, it's likely a bad product and should be avoided.

Yes, even if the price is right.

Grab something with veggies, fewer ingredients, and always watch out for high sodium counts.

Ya know, it's okay to cheat on that diet once in a while... like at the Iowa State Fair!