Frozen meals offer a convenient solution for busy individuals seeking to maintain a ketogenic lifestyle. However, not all frozen meals are created equal, and careful selection is crucial to ensure they align with the low-carb, high-fat principles of the keto diet. This article explores the landscape of keto-friendly frozen pizzas, with a special focus on Life Cuisine Keto Friendly Cheese Lovers Pizza, and provides a broader look at other suitable frozen meal options.
The Convenience of Keto Frozen Meals
Frozen meals can be a lifesaver, offering convenience for those following a ketogenic diet. However, it's essential to limit their consumption due to their often-processed nature and high salt content. Regular consumption of highly processed foods and excessive salt intake have been linked to weight gain and chronic conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Therefore, frozen meals should be reserved for occasional use when a quick and convenient option is needed.
Evaluating Keto-Friendly Frozen Meals
When choosing keto-friendly frozen meals, several criteria should be considered.
Net Carbs
The cornerstone of a ketogenic diet is limiting carbohydrate intake. The products contain 9 or fewer grams of net carbs - total carbohydrates minus fiber.
Ingredient Quality
Prioritize meals with high-quality ingredients. The best options are minimally processed, free of additives and preservatives, and made with organic produce or high-quality meats like grass-fed beef, organic chicken, or wild-caught seafood. While some less expensive and widely available options may contain preservatives or lower-quality ingredients, these should be consumed sparingly.
Read also: Explore the foundations of a healthy lifestyle
Availability
Consider the availability of the meals. Some can be ordered online, while others are readily available at local grocery stores.
Keto-Friendly Frozen Pizza Options
Quest Thin Crust Uncured Pepperoni Pizza
If you’re looking for an easy, keto-friendly frozen pizza, this option from Quest is a great choice. It’s high in fiber, so you can eat half the pizza without loading up on net carbs. Quest also offers supreme and cheese pizza options. This pizza stands out as a convenient choice, allowing individuals to enjoy a pizza experience without derailing their ketogenic goals.
- Net Carbs: 7 grams per half pizza (162 grams)
- Price: \$$
Life Cuisine Keto Friendly Cheese Lovers Pizza
The Life Cuisine Keto Friendly Cheese Lovers Pizza features a personal-size thin crust topped with four kinds of cheese. It is available at many grocery stores.
- Net Carbs: 7 grams per 6-oz. (170-gram) serving
- Price: \$$
- Protein: 30 grams per serving
This pizza is a high-protein option that can be very filling. However, it is important to note that this product contains some additives and is highly processed.
Life Cuisine Veggie Pizza
Life Cuisine® VEGGIE PIZZA, a delicious Italian style frozen meal to fit your Low Carb Lifestyle. Made with 28 grams of protein and 7 grams of net carbs, this easy-to-make, 430-calorie frozen dinner features tomatoes, peppers, and onions. Each 6 ounce sandwich can be enjoyed on its own or served with a side salad as part of a balanced meal. Pair your sandwich with soup, or customize it with your favorite add-ons. Quick and easy to prepare, this microwave meal is ready in minutes and makes a convenient lunch, dinner or snack at home or in the office. This frozen meal also offers essential nutrients, including 45% DV calcium, for a satisfying frozen entree you can feel good about.
Read also: The Truth About the Fit For Life Diet
- Net Carbs: 7 grams
- Protein: 28 grams
- Calories: 430
- Key Ingredients: tomatoes, peppers, and onions
Other Keto-Friendly Frozen Meal Options
Beyond pizza, numerous other frozen meals cater to the ketogenic diet.
Best Overall: Five One Eight Kitchen Steak Chili with Refried ‘Beans’
- Net carbs: 9 grams per 10-oz. (275-gram) serving
- Price: \$$
This keto-friendly frozen meal is a hearty chili made with grass-fed beef, bacon, onions, peppers, and “beans” made from eggplant. It’s served with scallions and cauliflower rice. All meals from this brand are minimally processed and made with high quality proteins such as grass-fed beef. They’re a great choice for keto eaters who want to avoid the more processed options.
Best Paleo-Friendly Frozen Keto Meal: Primal Kitchen Chicken Pesto Bowl
- Net carbs: 5 grams per 10-oz. (284-gram) serving
- Price: \$$
This paleo frozen meal features cage-free chicken and vegetables in a light pesto sauce.
Best Tex-Mex Keto Frozen Meal: Realgood Foods Co. Real Beef Enchiladas
- Net carbs: 2 grams per 2 enchiladas (133 grams)
- Price: \$$
Realgood offers a variety of keto-friendly frozen meals, including a line of enchiladas made with high quality ingredients and free of highly processed additives.
Best Keto Frozen Meal with Chicken: Realgood Foods Co. Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken
- Net carbs: 1 gram per piece (142 grams), 4 grams total
- Price: \$$
In addition to enchiladas, Realgood makes stuffed chicken breast entrees at a lower price.
Read also: One Life Diet: Does it really work?
Best Frozen Keto Meal for Breakfast: Jimmy Dean Steak & Cheddar Simple Scrambles
- Net carbs: 3 grams per 5-oz. (151-gram) serving
- Price: \$$
Although it contains several processed ingredients, this meal from Jimmy Dean provides a hearty, protein-packed breakfast made up of steak, eggs, and cheese.
Best Frozen Keto Bowl: Healthy Choice Power Bowl Chicken Marinara with Cauliflower Rice
- Net carbs: 5 grams per 9-oz. (262-gram) serving
- Price: \$
This meal from Healthy Choice features chicken, vegetables, and cauliflower rice in marinara sauce with Parmesan cheese. Keep in mind that it contains some processed ingredients.
Best Pasta Alternative: Healthy Choice Simply Steamers Grilled Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo
- Net carbs: 4 grams per container (259 grams)
- Price: \$
This Healthy Choice product features grilled chicken and broccoli in an Alfredo cream sauce. Since it does not contain pasta, it’s an excellent low carb alternative to frozen fettuccine Alfredo meals.
Best Keto Frozen Meal with Pork: Atkins Pork Verde
- Net carbs: 8 grams per 9-oz. (255-gram) serving
- Price: \$
This product features pulled pork, bell peppers, and onions in green salsa with Monterey jack cheese.
Best Vegetarian Frozen Keto Meal: Stouffer’s Classics Spinach Soufflé
- Net carbs: 8 grams per 1/2-cup (115-gram) serving
- Price: \$
This dish, which is made of spinach creamed with milk and cheese, is a solid vegetarian option. Still, it contains some processed ingredients.
Tips for Choosing Keto Frozen Meals
Check Nutrition Labels Carefully
Always check the nutrition labels of frozen meals to ensure they are low in net carbs. Many meals, even those that seem keto-friendly, can be surprisingly high in carbs.
Stick to Trusted Brands
If you’re looking to shop quickly in your local store without having to study each label, your best bet is to stick to brands like Atkins, Realgood, and Quest. These brands are widely available, and all their products are low in net carbs. If you’re ordering online, Carb-Wise options from Performance Kitchen or keto options from Five One Eight Kitchen are great choices.
Consider Food Quality and Dietary Needs
Finally, consider food quality and other dietary needs, such as vegetarian or paleo options.
Common Questions About Keto and Frozen Meals
Can I have Quest pizza on keto?
Yes, you can have Quest pizza on keto. However, an entire Quest frozen pizza has 12 grams of net carbs, so you may need to limit your portion size to stay within your daily carb limit.
Are Lean Cuisines keto-friendly?
Most Lean Cuisine meals are not keto-friendly. However, the related brand Life Cuisine offers a number of low carb options and one keto-friendly pizza option.
Can you lose weight with frozen food?
Yes, as long as you are limiting your calorie intake. However, this may be difficult with frozen meals. They are often highly processed, and highly processed foods have been linked to weight gain and chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease . If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s a good idea to both count calories and stick to less processed options like those from Five One Eight.