Finding healthy and convenient meal options can be a challenge, especially for those with busy lifestyles. Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers offer a potential solution, promising balanced meals made with real ingredients and no preservatives. But do these frozen meals live up to the hype? This review delves into the taste, convenience, and overall value of Healthy Choice Steamer Meals, drawing from a taste test of various options and a personal experience with incorporating them into a regular diet.
What are Healthy Choice Steamer Meals?
Healthy Choice meals aim to provide a convenient and healthy option for individuals seeking balanced nutrition without extensive cooking. The brand emphasizes real ingredients and avoids preservatives, a significant advantage over many other frozen meals. Notably, Healthy Choice distinguishes itself as the only major brand in the frozen meal sector with 100% of its products officially classified as "healthy" by the FDA.
One of the unique features of Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers is their tray-in-tray steam cooking method. This design aims to ensure that the meals taste fresh, with crisp vegetables and without the undesirable "plastic-y" aftertaste often associated with frozen meals. The ability to pour your own sauce also provides a degree of control over the flavor profile.
Taste Test Results: Hits and Misses
While Healthy Choice offers a wide variety of meals, the taste can be inconsistent. A taste test of 13 different meals revealed that only six were truly recommendable. Flavor is a key factor, and the best meals are well-seasoned and feature high-quality protein.
The Good
- Grilled Chicken Pesto with Vegetables: This meal stands out with its bright, fresh-flavored sauce and the inclusion of squash, which complements the sauce nicely. The "freshly made" rotini pasta has a good texture, adding to the overall enjoyment. While the chicken isn't exceptional, the other elements compensate for this. If you’re turning to Healthy Choice because you want a light lunch that only takes around three minutes to make, the Grilled Chicken Pesto with Vegetables is the best Healthy Choice frozen meal out of the options we taste tested.
- Steak with Balsamic Sauce: This new addition to the Healthy Choice lineup features steak in a balsamic sauce with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. The mashed potatoes have a noticeable garlic aroma, and while they could use more salt, they are generally palatable. The sauce is tangy and savory, and the beef, despite its unappealing appearance, tastes surprisingly good. The green beans even retain some crunch.
- Beef Merlot: The beef in this meal is tender, and the Merlot wine sauce evokes a pleasant, nostalgic flavor. It resembles a savory gravy with a tannic undertone.
The Not-So-Good
- Chicken Margherita Pasta with Balsamic Vinaigrette Sauce: Paired with a fresh salad and a large glass of water, you’ve got yourself a perfectly balanced meal that your imaginary (or real life) trainer/dietician/yoga instructor would be pretty darn proud of.
- Chicken Marinara with Orzo: This meal consists of white meat chicken in marinara sauce with orzo, spinach, and seasoned broccoli. The chicken patty lacks flavor, and the marinara sauce is bland, requiring additional seasoning. However, the orzo is a highlight, offering a plump, tasty, and filling component.
- Sweet & Sour Chicken: Despite its unappealing appearance, this meal doesn't taste terrible. The chicken pieces resemble Chicken McNuggets dipped in McDonald's sweet and sour sauce. However, the rice is overly saucy, and the mix-ins are sparse.
- Meatball Marinara: This meal features "freshly made" pasta with a flavorful marinara sauce that avoids excessive oregano. The meatballs are dense but palatable.
Common Issues
- Inconsistent Seasoning: Many Healthy Choice meals suffer from a lack of adequate seasoning. Adding salt, pepper, or other spices can significantly improve the flavor.
- Texture Problems: Some meals contain ingredients with undesirable textures, such as mealy potatoes or gummy mashed potatoes.
- Chicken Quality: The chicken in some meals can be bland or have an unappealing texture.
Convenience and Practicality
Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers excel in convenience. They require minimal preparation time, making them ideal for quick lunches or dinners. The tray-in-tray steaming method helps to preserve the texture and flavor of the ingredients, preventing the sogginess that can plague other frozen meals.
Read also: Healthy food access with Highmark Wholecare explained.
For individuals with busy schedules or limited cooking facilities, these meals offer a practical way to maintain a balanced diet. They are easy to transport and can be prepared in a microwave in just a few minutes.
Nutritional Value and Diet Considerations
Healthy Choice meals can be a valuable tool for managing calorie intake and maintaining a healthy diet. The meals are designed to be balanced, providing a mix of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables. However, it's essential to pay attention to the specific nutritional information of each meal, as the calorie and macronutrient content can vary.
For those with dietary restrictions or preferences, Healthy Choice offers a variety of options, including vegetarian and gluten-free meals. However, it's always advisable to carefully review the ingredient list to ensure that the meal meets your individual needs.
Where to Buy and Pricing
Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers are widely available in the freezer aisle of most major grocery stores, including Publix, Walmart, and even some drugstores like Walgreens. The suggested retail price is around $3.29, but prices may vary depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions.
Read also: Healthy Eating on the Run
Read also: Mobile Dining Revolution