It’s no secret that pre-made, frozen foods in the grocery store can be super convenient and save you time in the kitchen. However, not all of them are that great for your health.
Many people begin relying on frozen meals and food items, as they’re often affordable and a quick choice for those who work a lot or are unable to cook fresh food all the time. However, many health experts have been noting that if you are able to cook fresh food at home, it’s always better, as there are lots of frozen food choices that can take a toll on your health. We spoke to a registered dietitian about five of the worst frozen foods that can hurt digestion and cause bloating. Read more about them below.
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1. Ice Cream
Ice cream is a beloved food, and when eaten in moderation alongside other nutritionally balanced foods, it's a good treat to enjoy. However, when ice cream becomes a part of most nights, and is eaten in large quantities, it creates a recipe for disaster health-wise.
"Ice cream may not often come to mind when thinking from the realm of digestive health; however, it may in fact have a negative impact here," explains dietitian Lena Bakovic, MS, RDN, CNSC at Live It Up. "The added sugars and/or artificial sweeteners that frozen ice creams often contain may contribute to bloating. Added sugars in frozen ice cream can be especially detrimental for individuals living with diabetes, as they negatively contribute to blood sugar control. Artificial sweeteners can produce diarrhea and overall digestive discomfort for certain individuals."
2. Frozen Processed Meats
Sometimes, it can seem tempting and convenient to grab large, frozen packages of certain meats like sausages, hot dogs, steaks, and more in order to have them on hand for emergencies, last-minute dinner ideas, or get-togethers like barbecues. However, even frozen, processed red meat has long been famous for its impact on health.
"Bacon, hot dogs, or sausages are almost always high in saturated fat content and sodium," says Bakovic. "We know that these nutrients contribute to bloating and have negative implications for heart health."
3. Frozen Pizza
When frozen meals come to mind, one of the most common items is frozen pizza, which is affordable and gives you the chance to have a pizza night without having to deal with a delivery service. Sure, every once in a while, a frozen pizza won't hurt you. But you might start to feel some nasty side effects if you continue to eat and buy them.
"[It] often contains high amounts of salt, which can produce water retention," notes Bakovic. "This, in turn, may lead to bloating. Furthermore, the toppings on frozen pizzas are often processed and are a source of additional salt, preservatives, and saturated fats. This further contributes to bloating and gastrointestinal discomfort."
4. Ready-To-Eat Meals
Another famous frozen aisle item is ready-made meals, which now come in so many different genres and categories of food. Additionally, tons of well-known stars and chefs are selling them, like Dolly Parton with her Shrimp & Grits and Gordon Ramsay with his Shepherd's Pie. But just because they're available doesn't mean they're a great choice.
Bakovic states that these meals are "often quickly heated in a microwave, and may also be sources of high amounts of sodium and saturated fats. These nutrients are not heart-healthy and may additionally contribute to bloating and/or indigestion."
5. Frozen French Fries
If you have children or are trying to save some money on your fast food habits, then there's a good chance you've got a bag of frozen fries in your freezer. However, no matter what form they come in, fries are fries and can easily cause some health issues when eaten frequently.
"[Fries] can be especially high sources of saturated fats and salt," adds Bakovic. "As with frozen meals and pizzas, these properties of frozen fries may negatively contribute to heart health and produce bloating and/or gas."
