Does anyone eat Lean Cuisines?

I have a problem eating which is probably why i'm overweight. I would just like to get some opinions on whether anyone thinks its ok to eat lean cusines? I would obviously watch the sodium intake on them. But otherwise do you think they would help me achieve my weight loss goal? I'm trying to lose weight and eat healthy at the same time. Thanks!

Definitely. But I wait for the sale prices.  When I ring out at the register, my conveyor belt is simply full of Lean Cuisines.  It's almost embarrassing.  But the results can't be ignored.  They are fabulous for portion control meals for those that can't or don't want to take the time to prepare home made small portioned meals.

I think we all seem to like them for the same reasons....easy and portion control. I have to be to work by 6am and I get up and 5 and that leaves me just enough time to get myself ready and make the 5 minute drive to work. So..I would have to get up even earlier to make a fresh meal. I also like the south beach wraps, but I checked the sodium and most of them are around 1000 calories per meal. So..I come out further ahead if I stick with lean cuisines or the smart ones or something similar.

I like the cheesy potato and cheesy chicken ones (or it's called something similar).  Whenever I have them I add roughly one cup of frozen veggies - this helps it be more filling and bumps up the nutritional value (and, for me who doesn't really like veggies, get more in my diet).  I learned this trick from a co-worker, it's great.

I try to limit my frozen meal intake to one time a week.

I dont have lean cuisines here in London (I love them though and wish we did) - but eat similar low-calorie "ready meals" here and I think they're great!

Portion control is one of my big problems - and lean cuisine is perfect because it creates an automatic portion for you. 

I started eating them everyday at work, (that and smartones) just to figure out at first what I liked, and to understand how much i SHOULD be eating.  Now i do every other day, sometimes i'll go out and get lunch, but that was only after I figured out how to handle myself at a restaurant. hehe. it definitely took some practice! :D

Hi ollyrake, just wanted to give my input on lean cuisines.  I actually do the michelina's lean gourmets (because they're cheaper) and I think they are awesome!  I have been counting calories since November and I still rely on lean cuisines for lunch and other meals. 

my advice to you?  eat a big healthy breakfast, snack about an hour before your lunch, and plan a snack for a couple hours after.  If you bring a banana/grapefruit in the afternoon, you'll feel full again and be able to make it to dinner without eating more.  I make my snacks all raw fruits & veggies =)

good luck!

I eat them 2-3 x's a week for lunch (Usually mon-wed). I got hooked on the spaghetti with meat sauce. It is a conveinient way for me to monitor my lunch calories. Sometimes the meal is enough but I keep a bag of salad and a tomato at work in case I need a bit more that day. I also use the spray dressing or now Kraft has 25 calorie dressing pre-packed.

By thursday I usually want something else. Like today I picked up a 6inch roasted chicken from subway.

I usually keep several in the freezer at work.

Good luck!

Original Post by ollyrake:

I have a problem eating which is probably why i'm overweight. I would just like to get some opinions on whether anyone thinks its ok to eat lean cusines? I would obviously watch the sodium intake on them. But otherwise do you think they would help me achieve my weight loss goal? I'm trying to lose weight and eat healthy at the same time. Thanks!

Depends on what your goal is.  Lean Cuisine and other frozen foods are basically crap in small portions.  Eating LC is the same as losing weight on a program that provides your meager measured meals for you i.e.: Jenny Craig, nutri-system, et al.  Problem is, once you are off the program, you gain weight again.  Why?  Because you never learned to cook or eat the correct foods or portions - it was all done for you with sub-standard ingrediants.  If you really want to be healthy and have long term weight loss/maintenace sucess, learn to cook.  You can cook for an entire week on Sunday and refridgerate or freeze your meals.  Try stir fry or turkey chili.  I would eat a LC if I had to have a meal and nothing else was available, but certainly not as a staple. 

 

Original Post by ollyrake:

I have a problem eating which is probably why i'm overweight. I would just like to get some opinions on whether anyone thinks its ok to eat lean cusines? I would obviously watch the sodium intake on them. But otherwise do you think they would help me achieve my weight loss goal? I'm trying to lose weight and eat healthy at the same time. Thanks!

 

 

I lost my first 18 pounds eating lean cuisines. Sometimes for lunch and dinner. But as I went along, I noticed more puffiness in my face, hands, and feet. So I cut down on them and have them for lunch around 3 times per week and drink extra water when I have one. I keep them around in case something comes up where I need to eat and go, or I get a craving for take aways.

I did take this entire week off from lean cuisines, batch cooked a bunch of chicken breasts and have made most of my meals from them. It works out really well. I hate to cook, I really do. I do not like having to prepare my own food, but I'm doing it, and actually enjoyed it this week.

Good luck to you!!

Additionally, I think the lean cuisines were great for teaching me about portion control, while getting used to counting calories and reading labels.

When you are ready to cook more for yourself, which will be much healthier....

I suggest getting you a good pyrex measuring cup, measuring spoons, and maybe a scale if you really want to weigh ounces. In doing this I have a better idea on my portions. Also this site helps me out. It's free to use the search part of it. I look alot of my things up on it

http://www.calorieking.com/foods/calories-in- chicken-individually-fresh-frozen-breasts-w-r ib-meat-boneless-skinless_f-Y2lkPTMwNzk5JmJpZ D0xMDUzJmZpZD05NTM2OSZwYXI9.html

Original Post by charleshampton:

Definitely. But I wait for the sale prices.  When I ring out at the register, my conveyor belt is simply full of Lean Cuisines.  It's almost embarrassing.  But the results can't be ignored.  They are fabulous for portion control meals for those that can't or don't want to take the time to prepare home made small portioned meals.

 I was going to the same little grocer to buy mine every time. And my belt was filled up with them too! LOL I was going in so often someone commented they noticed I had lost a little weight. Either they were just being kind or really noticed :)

I personally like 'Smart Ones'.  As long as you are getting the correct nutrition and can afford them. Why not?  Everyone has their own way of losing weight. Better to do it your way rather than do some fad diet or take drugs.

YES! Portion control is always smart. Prepared meals like that are so convenient and I like them because it helps me write calorie counts in my Little Black Book~Daily Food Diary. IT WORKS! Hang in there!

I love the conveinenc of them, already portion, and calories counted. Like you already said you have to watch the sodium but thats a good enough trade off for me.