Making Prepackaged Foods a Little Less Bad...

I am not a fan of instant dinners from a box due to their generally low nutrition and high salt and other junk.  That being said sometimes they are handy to have around when you don't have the time to make a full from scratch meal.

For example: sometimes I take a box of Zattarain's beans and rice and cook it up including more beans (from a can, so it's still fast) and additional veggies like onions, peppers, carrots, etc.  There is definitely enough sauce to handle the additions and it ups the nutrition and reduces sodium intake per serving (considering a serving of the meal, not a serving of the original mix, which obviously stays the same).  This can be a good strategy with canned soups as well.

Anyone else have go to prepackaged meals that they like to make a little less bad?

Usually if i get a microwavable dinner like a lean cuisine, I always try to boost it up by adding a ton more cooked veggies with it. I use a lot of frozen brocolli or sometimes I get a entree and then pour it over the top of some cooked spinanch or green beans

This isn't TOO great of a change, but it does reduce calories a bit. I like the 'Cheesy Enchilada' hamburger helper, so I make it as directed but with the morningstar farms fake-meat crumbles/mealstarters instead of ground beef or turkey! :)

Somewhat bad, but ramen noodles with a combination of either fresh or frozen vegetables occurs at least 1x or 2x a week for me. I try to add less of the sodium-laden flavoring packet, FWIW.

If I need something quick - I usually turn to Kashi's frozen entrees.  Nutrition and taste is all there. They are also very filling.

On those boxed dinners and sides that always call for butter or margarine, you rarely actually need it.    On the ones that you do, I substitute a half teaspoon of light flavor olive oil for every tablespoon of margarine it calls for, and they turn out fine!

PS - I love Zatarains, it's a staple here in Louisiana.   They have a lot of lower sodium options whcih I always buy, I find that their originals are too salty anyway.  And yes, this is one of the items that doesn't really need the margarine it calls for. 

I definitely agree!!  I hate when boxed food calls for 2 tbsp of butter then maybe even milk.  I leave out the butter whenever I can.  It's something you can always add at the end if you think it really needs it.

I also go for the low sodium Zattarains, but still feel like the added extras give it a little boost.  The red beans and rice never seem to have enough red beans.

I thought of another one as well.  Store bought stuffing mix.  You can add, celery or nuts and fruits, and more high quality, unseasoned bread.

Thanks, everyone for sharing. 

Hey folks.  The sodium is the big killer in these.  And not just the Zattarains.  One trick i picked up is to add a little extra water and throw a few potato cubes in the boiling water (if possible and prepared that way and after the salty flavor packet goes in).  Potatoes naturally absorb salt.  Remove potatoes, save or eat later.  Instant lower sodium.

Mook