The Worst Instant Meals For Weight Loss, According To Nutritionists

If there's one thing most of us don't have a whole lot of it's time. Instant meals afford us the luxury of whipping up breakfast, lunch, or dinner in a snap, but there are times when that convenience comes at the expense of good health. Not to knock all instant meals because some, like frozen avocado and bean wraps, are delicious and nutritious. But when choosing quick and easy meals, here are four that you may want to reconsider. 

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It's one instant meal that a lot of us don't even think twice about grabbing when we're hungry at lunch: deli meats like turkey, ham, or salami. Some, like roasted turkey, might be lower in calories and fat than other choices, but the fact that they're processed also means you're ingesting nitrites and an abundance of sodium.

To provide some perspective, dietitians recommend that we eat less than 2300mg of sodium per day, but a 2-ounce serving of roasted deli turkey contains between 360-590mg of sodium. Worse: there's evidence provided by the World Health Organization that deli meat (and all processed meats) increase the risk of getting cancer. 

As traditionally American as apple pie, frozen or refrigerated hot dogs can simply be placed in boiling water for a few minutes and, voila, you have an instant lunch or dinner. But as with deli meats, this processed meat is filled with sodium nitrites and is associated with a higher risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems. The silver lining for hot dog lovers is that some brands, including those that contain uncured meat and no antibiotics, are slightly healthier — though all processed meats should be eaten in moderation. 

Beware of sugary cereals — they can contain as much sugar as candy, with little to no nutritional value. Consuming empty calories and refined carbs that are low in fiber content will send your blood sugar soaring, providing a brief few hours of energy, but will ultimately leave you feeling deflated and craving more sugary foods. 

Granola has been touted as a health food — but this label should be modified to exclude any and all pre-packaged sugary granola treats. The benefits of plain granola oats, which include fiber and iron, are nearly negated by high fructose corn syrup and other sugary additives found in many popular granola treats and breakfast items. Read labels carefully and choose granolas that do not contain added sugar — you can always sweeten things up at home with a teaspoon of brown sugar and fruit.