15 Frozen Foods To Avoid For Better Health, Says California Nutritionists

Opening your freezer for a quick meal might seem like a convenient choice, but not all frozen foods deserve a spot in your shopping cart. California nutritionists warn that many frozen options hide unhealthy ingredients that can impact your wellbeing.

Making smarter choices in the frozen food aisle can significantly improve your diet and overall health.

1. Frozen Pizza Loaded With Preservatives

Most frozen pizzas contain alarming amounts of sodium, preservatives, and processed meats that nutritionists consistently flag as problematic. A single serving often packs nearly half your daily sodium allowance!

Look for the ingredient list length; shorter is better. Many California health experts suggest making your own pizza with whole grain crust and fresh toppings as a healthier alternative.

2. Breaded Chicken Nuggets

Those innocent-looking chicken nuggets hide a troubling secret. The breading soaks up oils during manufacturing, creating a fat-laden snack with minimal nutritional value.

Real chicken makes up surprisingly little of many nugget products. Instead, fillers and mechanically separated meat dominate the ingredient list. Consider baking fresh chicken tenders with whole grain breading as a wholesome alternative.

3. Waffle Breakfast Sandwiches

Morning convenience comes at a nutritional price with these sweet-and-savory combos. The waffles typically contain refined flours and added sugars while the processed meat fillings contribute unhealthy fats.

A single sandwich might contain artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives that wouldn’t appear in homemade versions. California nutritionists recommend whole grain toast with fresh eggs and avocado instead.

4. Microwavable Breakfast Burritos

Mornings might seem easier with these grab-and-go options, but your body pays the price. Many frozen breakfast burritos contain low-quality eggs, processed meats, and sodium levels that can exceed 800mg per serving.

The tortillas often contain preservatives and dough conditioners you wouldn’t use at home. Batch-cooking real egg burritos on weekends and freezing them yourself creates a healthier alternative without the chemical additives.

5. Pre-Made Smoothie Packs

Colorful smoothie packs might seem like a healthy choice, but many contain added sugars, preservatives, and artificial flavors. What appears to be a fruit-based health food often hides unnecessary additives.

Some brands use fruit concentrates rather than whole fruits, reducing fiber content. A better option? Buy plain frozen fruits and create your own smoothie combinations with fresh greens and protein sources for complete nutrition.

6. Frozen Pasta Meals

Convenient pasta dishes often conceal concerning nutrition profiles. Many contain cream-based sauces loaded with saturated fats and sodium levels approaching 1,000mg per serving.

The pasta itself is typically refined rather than whole grain. Vegetables included are minimal and lose nutrients during processing. Try cooking whole grain pasta in batches and freezing with homemade sauce for a healthier frozen meal option.

7. Seasoned French Fries

Those crispy, seasoned fries might taste amazing, but they’ve usually been pre-fried in oils before freezing. This process adds significant fat even before you prepare them at home.

Many varieties contain acrylamide, a compound formed when potatoes are processed at high temperatures. California nutritionists suggest baking fresh-cut potatoes with minimal oil and herbs for a healthier alternative with natural potato flavor.

8. Frozen Breakfast Pastries

Toaster pastries and breakfast tarts might seem like quick morning solutions, but nutritionally they resemble desserts. Sugar often appears multiple times in the ingredient list under different names.

These pastries typically contain artificial colors and flavors alongside trans fats that can impact heart health. For a better breakfast, try overnight oats with real fruit or whole grain toast with nut butter and banana slices.

9. Battered Fish Sticks

Fish offers excellent nutrition, but frozen fish sticks rarely deliver these benefits. The thick breading significantly increases carbohydrates and fat while the fish portion is minimal.

Many brands use lower-quality fish pieces pressed together rather than whole fillets. The breading often contains added sugars and preservatives. Fresh or plain frozen fish fillets with a light homemade coating provide better nutrition with real seafood flavor.

10. Microwave Pot Pies

Nostalgia might make pot pies appealing, but their nutrition profile concerns health professionals. The buttery crusts contain trans fats or palm oil that can raise cholesterol levels.

Inside, you’ll typically find sodium levels exceeding 1,000mg per serving and minimal vegetable content. The gravy usually contains thickeners and flavor enhancers rather than real broth. Consider making a batch of hearty soup with vegetables and freezing portions instead.

11. Pre-Packaged Breakfast Bowls

Marketed as protein-packed starts to your day, these bowls often disappoint nutritionally. Many contain processed meats like sausage or bacon alongside potatoes cooked in unhealthy oils.

Sodium levels frequently exceed 800mg per serving, starting your day with nearly half your recommended daily intake. A better choice? Batch-cook steel-cut oats with nuts and berries or prepare egg muffins with vegetables for grab-and-go breakfasts.

12. Frozen Sandwich Melts

Those cheesy handheld sandwiches might solve lunch dilemmas, but at a nutritional cost. Most contain processed meats with nitrates and nitrites that health experts recommend limiting in your diet.

The cheese is typically a processed variety with additives for melting properties rather than real cheese. The bread often contains added sugars and preservatives. Try making your own sandwich melts with whole grain bread and quality ingredients instead.

13. Frozen Waffles With Added Sugars

Beyond their convenience, frozen waffles offer little nutritional value. Most contain refined flours stripped of fiber and nutrients, with added sugars appearing multiple times in ingredient lists.

The artificial flavors and colors wouldn’t be found in homemade versions. California nutritionists recommend whole grain toast with nut butter or making a batch of whole grain waffles on weekends to freeze for quick weekday breakfasts.

14. Breaded Mozzarella Sticks

Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside – and unfortunately packed with unhealthy fats. A typical serving contains more than a third of your daily saturated fat recommendation before you even reach dinner.

The breading contains refined carbohydrates while offering minimal fiber or nutrients. Many brands use cheese with additives for better melting rather than real mozzarella. Fresh cheese with whole grain crackers provides calcium without the unhealthy additions.

15. Frozen Asian Entrées

Those convenient stir-fry meals might seem healthy with their vegetable content, but many contain excessive sodium from soy sauce and flavor enhancers. A single serving can exceed 1,500mg of sodium!

The sauces typically contain corn syrup and preservatives you wouldn’t use in homemade versions. For a better option, stir-fry fresh or plain frozen vegetables with lean protein and a small amount of low-sodium sauce.