MANY shoppers head to the frozen food aisle when grocery shopping, but the practice might be sabotaging their health.
Experts say it’s important to consider certain nutrients when shopping for food.
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The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, but and ideal limit is no more than 1,500 mg per day for most adults, especially those who have high blood pressure.
Registered dietitian Angela L. Lago, also known as “The Mental Wellness Dietitian,” said salt, sugar and unhealthy fats are a major concerns.
“Not only are foods that contain an excess of these nutrients inflammatory, they are also key drivers for obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes,” she said in a Fox News report.
Shoppers should choose frozen food products with less salt, sugar and trans-fat.
Many frozen, processed foods are also loaded with preservatives and artificial colors and flavors.
Americans consume up to 75 percent of their sodium from processed foods like soups, tomato sauce, condiments and canned goods, AHA reported.
Frozen pizza and pizza rolls are culprits of high sodium.
A better alternative are foods primarily made with whole grains rather than refined grains along with lean cuts of protein and low-fat or fat-free dairy products.
Frozen pot pies and state fair favorites such as frozen corn dogs and frozen French fries are also on the list of products to avoid.
“While frozen pot pies may provide us comfort, these are one of the highest calorie and fat-containing frozen foods,” Allison Tallman, registered dietitian at SportingSmiles.com, told Fox News.
Items like corn dogs not only have processed meat, but it’s coated in a sugary batter before it’s friend and then frozen.
Janet Coleman, registered dietitian of TheConsumerMag.com, said that French fries come with a large amount of fat and calories as well.
Frozen calzones, according to the report, have about 1,700 mg of sodium in one serving.
That amount of sodium in a diet can lead to increased blood pressure.
While not loaded with as much salt, frozen toaster pastries and baked goods are packed with highly processed carbohydrates and sugar.
“Frozen baked goods, such as cinnamon rolls, biscuits, waffles and dessert items are loaded with salt, sugar and fat,” Lago said in the report.
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