Does anyone feel hungrier after eating Smart Ones (or Lean Cuisine)?

Is it me or does anyone else feel extremely hungry after eating one of those smart ones or lean cuisines? They're good but I feel far hungrier than I do if I ate something I cooked myself. Why is that?

You can cook just as healthy yourself, but your portion will probably be larger.  If you weigh what you cook yourself and eat the same portion as comes in the box, you'll still be hungry.  Being satisfied or still hungry after eating is a perception.  We need to change that perception as healthier eating habits are developed. 

Frozen meals are never satisfying, lol. (to me anyway)

I love the Smart Ones! Yes I agree with you totally! When someone asks me what I brought for lunch I reply "a not enough meal" - they are good but the just aren't enough!!

 

its true that frozen meals like that are very unsatisfying. i usually steam one or two types of veggies and add them to the meal. i makes it look bigger, and much more filling! plus, steaming veggies takes no time at all and is so easy... it helps a lot!!

I am a big lean cuisine fan!  I have had to get used to the smaller portioned meals.  I think that was why I was still hungry.  I also am now eating every 3 hours with a lean cuisine for lunch and sometimes dinner.  You can always add more steamed veggies, which is what I usually do.  This will help with your problem!

adding steamed veggies is a great idea!

i always just have mine with an apple or something. also, eat it slowly if you can to give your body time to register that you've eaten it. today i had a lean cusine panini and an apple for lunch. i ate the sandwich slowly, and by the time i finished the apple i was comfortably full!

I had a Lean Cuisine once and it didnt fill me up. The portions are WAY too small. I wanted to try it so i asked my mom to buy one for me.

I'm a big fan of the frozen box meals for portion control. As with everyone else, I supplement the meal with raw veggies, a green salad or steamed vegetables. I usually find that if I'm still hungry, it's because I need a bit more protein so I add some beans or broccoli or romaine lettuce as part of my vegetables.

I think it is the meals that aren't made with whole grains that leave me hungry sooner.  I think the lack of fiber makes it not sit long enough on my stomach.  I either opt for the whole grain meals or add lots of veggies or both.

I eat both and Healthy Choice.....usually for lunch to save time..and I used to feel that way and in addition to feeling hungrier I NEEDED bread and butter after I ate one of those meals. However, since I got into CC, I have found that I will be ok if I eat a 90 calorie Special K Snack at about 11:00 a.m. (lunch is usually 1:00). Then in the afternoon when I do feel hungry, I get out the water. It has worked for me, especially since I prefer a larger meal at night!

Breakfast is almost always a lite yogurt. 

I feel fine after eating them, but I drink a 16.9 oz of Dasani while eating *shrugs*

I do not feel hungrier after eating the smart ones or lean cuisine. I find them incredibly tasty for frozen. I also admire the assortment of meals vs what I can grab quickly at a fast food restaurant (Maybe this is why I love them?). When I first started eating the smart ones or lean cuisine, I was hungry after eating...not hungrier just not full. Now that I have been doing this for 3 months, I feel satisfied completely with just the meal --no need to add anything else. I do keep walnuts and fruit in my office so that when 3 pm comes, I have a better alternative to chips/candy bars.

It's your portions. Frozen dinners are portion controlled to the exact weight. Home made food is usually not weighed.