Who doesn’t love the convenience of having Banquet meals stuffed in the freezer? Unfortunately, many of these frozen meals come loaded with unhealthy ingredients that could sabotage your dietary goals. This article explores the 13 unhealthiest Banquet frozen meals you can buy and offers healthier alternatives, allowing you to make smarter choices for your health. With details about calories, sodium, and fat content, you’ll know what to steer clear of when shopping.
The Nutritional Drawbacks of Banquet Meals
Banquet meals have earned a reputation for their convenience and hearty flavors, making them a quick fix for busy lifestyles. However, the convenience often comes at the cost of nutritional quality. You'll be surprised to find that many of these meals contain excessive amounts of sodium, fat, and sugar, along with insufficient nutritional value. Flipping the box to read the labels can sometimes result in what many refer to as “nutritional sticker shock.” The sodium levels in particular push these meals into unhealthy territory, leading consumers to reconsider their frozen meal choices.
1. Banquet Mac and Cheese
Banquet Mac and Cheese may seem like a comforting choice, but it’s far from healthy. With 320 calories per serving, this dish packs a staggering 1,050 mg of sodium. Plus, you're also consuming 10 grams of fat, of which 3 grams are saturated. Rather than choosing this frozen option, consider making your own mac and cheese at home. Not only can you control the ingredients and portion sizes, but you'll also create a meal that tastes better without the unhealthy additives.
2. Mega Meal Creamy Provolone Salisbury Steak
The Mega Meal Creamy Provolone Salisbury Steak emphasizes taste but neglects nutrition. Clocking in at 490 calories, this meal contains 1,200 mg of sodium and 32 grams of fat, including 11 grams of saturated fat. This meal can raise your blood pressure while delivering a temporary thrill to your taste buds, making it a poor choice for health-conscious consumers. Homemade alternatives using lean meat and fresh vegetables can satisfy your cravings without overwhelming your waistline.
3. Mega Meals Boneless Fried Chicken
With 620 calories and a shocking 1,400 mg of sodium, the Mega Meals Boneless Fried Chicken is not worth the convenience. Packed with 28 grams of fat, including 6 grams of saturated fat, this meal can undo a day’s worth of healthy eating. Instead, consider baking chicken at home with your choice of spices for a healthier and tastier option.
4. Salisbury Steak with Mashed Potatoes
The classic Salisbury Steak with Mashed Potatoes is another meal to skip. This dish combines 370 calories with 1,030 mg of sodium and 17 grams of fat (5 grams saturated), all while incorporating a shocking 17 grams of sugar due to the dessert included. The high sugar content can spike your blood sugar levels, making it a less-than-ideal choice for dinner.
5. Chicken Strips
Banquet Chicken Strips serve up 430 calories, along with 920 mg of sodium and 18 grams of fat—3.5 of which are saturated. While it may satisfy your cravings for crispy chicken, the long-term health consequences aren’t worth it. Opt for grilled chicken strips with veggies for a much healthier alternative.
6. Mega Bowls Country Fried Chicken
With 440 calories and 1,460 mg of sodium, the Mega Bowls Country Fried Chicken offers a mountain of comfort food that also comes with a hefty dose of regret. Loaded with savory components, this meal contains 21 grams of total fat and is heavy in cholesterol, making it far from a beneficial meal choice. Instead, compartmentalizing components of the meal and preparing grilled chicken with mashed sweet potatoes can alleviate both culinary and dietary needs.
7. Mega Bowls Nashville Hot Chicken
Southern fiery flavors beckon with Mega Bowls Nashville Hot Chicken, but your waistline might not appreciate the 450 calories and 1,380 mg of sodium it brings. Furthermore, its 19 grams of fat can derail your healthy eating plans. If you're craving spicy chicken, consider marinating chicken at home in hot sauce and baking it rather than turning to this unwholesome option.
8. Chicken Nuggets with Mac and Cheese
Combining chicken nuggets and mac and cheese, Banquet’s Chicken Nuggets with Mac and Cheese weighs in at 470 calories, 580 mg of sodium, and 19 grams of fat. The 24 grams of sugar from dessert only add to the unhealthy claims of the meal. Instead, making homemade baked chicken nuggets accompanied by a small serving of whole grain pasta can be both satisfying and nutritious.
9. Mega Meats Kansas City BBQ Boneless Strips
The Mega Meats Kansas City BBQ Boneless Strips sounds enticing but amounts to 520 calories, 1,240 mg of sodium, and 24 grams of total fat, which can significantly affect your health. Instead of opting for this barbecue variety, homemade pulled chicken can be made lighter and healthier in minutes with the right spices and seasonings.
10. Mega Bowls Kung Pao Chicken
Straying from traditional fare, the Mega Bowls Kung Pao Chicken offers a misleading flavor appeal while it conceals 520 calories and 1,290 mg of sodium. The dish's 35 mg cholesterol content further hampers its appeal. Craft your own version using fresh vegetables sautéed with low-sodium soy sauce for a much healthier experience.
11. Mega Meals Bacon Cheddar Patty
A feast without the bun, the Mega Meals Bacon Cheddar Patty comes with 570 calories and 1,160 mg of sodium. Along with 36 grams of fat, it’s an indulgence that most conscious eaters should avoid. Using lean beef or turkey, you can create a healthier burger with minimal fuss at home.
12. Mega Bowls Sweet and Sour Chicken
At first glance, Mega Bowls Sweet and Sour Chicken might appear to offer a balance of flavors, but the reality is strikingly different with 610 calories and 33 grams of sugar. You can satisfy those sweet cravings with roasted chicken in a homemade sweet and sour sauce full of fresh veggies instead.
13. Mega Meals Boneless Fried Chicken (Repeated!)
You may notice that Mega Meals Boneless Fried Chicken made it to the top of our list again, reinforcing the dire nutritional weight of this dish. Per serving, it contains 620 calories and up to 1,400 mg of sodium making it another poor dietary choice. As mentioned before, choose to create healthier baked or grilled versions of your favorite fried foods.
Making Informed Choices
Understanding the nutritional profiles of Banquet’s unhealthiest frozen meals is essential for anyone looking to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Knowledge is power, and knowing what to avoid can drastically improve your dietary habits. Opting for homemade alternatives where you can control ingredients will lead to healthier eating habits in the long run.