Saturday, 09 July 2011
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Lean Cuisine Fiend
When I made the decision to go on a diet, I knew I could no longer eat three dinners a day (my left over dinner for lunch, once more after work, and then my real dinner). Since I knew I had to start making my own lunch, as opposed to simply heating up whatever my mother had made for me the evening before, I went to the supermarket to pick up some food. Overwhelmed by all the fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and breads, I found myself wandering over to the frozen food section. That’s when I found them – the Lean Cuisines.
What a great idea, I thought. It’s a ready-made meal that tastes amazing in five minutes or less. There was a sale going on – 5 Lean Cuisines for $20. I bought 30 of them.
“Where are we going to put all of these?” my mother asked, shocked at the amount of boxes I brought home. “You shouldn’t have bought so many at once. You might not even like them.”
“No worries,” I said nonchalantly. “We’ll make room.”
We ended up having to put about 10 of them in the spare freezer we keep in the garage because, as usual, my mother was right.
I took a Lean Cuisine for lunch every day. At first, I was delighted at the sheer variety Stoffer’s offered. I was eating something new and exciting each afternoon, and only consuming 5 grams of fat or less. It was great.
Until it wasn’t.
I quickly learned why a Lean Cuisine is only 5 grams of fat – because it’s only 4 bites. I didn’t realize by the size of the box the scarce amount of food you get. I found myself in a constant state of starvation, wanting to eat everything and anything, permitted to eat nothing. I would come home from work and allow myself to eat a hard-boiled egg, with minimal salt.
I altered my diet in others ways, as well. My mom and I would use healthier ingredients for dinner. I switched from Coke to Diet Coke, and from Whole Milk to 2% milk. I cut out my morning Yoohoo and bagel with cream cheese. I stopped eating chocolate and candy of all kinds. I stopped eating McDonald’s.
I think the lack of a filling breakfast was making me even hungrier at lunchtime. I quickly grew tired of my daily Lean Cuisine. Eating the microwavable bite-sized chicken, half-dollar shaped vegetables, and whole-wheat pasta got old, annoying, disheartening. I no longer looked forward to lunch. It was now a meal I consumed simply to keep my stomach from growling throughout the rest of the day.
By the end of my fling with Lean Cuisine, I was completely disgusted by them. It didn’t matter if it was the greatest mini-meal ever made, I wanted nothing to do with it. I rejoiced on the day I ate my last one, and never bought another one again. Now, when I walk passed the frozen foods aisle, I know better than to be lured in by the delicious-looking pictures on the Lean Cuisine boxes.
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About the Author
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- From: Jennifer
- Name: Jennifer
- About Me: I have had a love affair with food for as long as I can remember. Some people like to drink, some people like to party -- but nothing makes me happier than sitting down to an awesome dinner in a hip (or traditional) restaurant with my family and friends. And the more you get to know me, the more you'll realize that I would give you the shirt off my back, but never -- ever -- try and steal food from my plate! I can do mean things with a fork!
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Comments (41)
I like the variety and the fact that they are low in calories.
I really like some of the ones that are pasta but I don't like any of the ones with meat in them I think it tastes fake.
I LOVE THEM. But when I'm eating them for meals, I keep plenty of extra fruit and veg handy- because I know, as you've found, that they don't fill you up for terribly long.
Mmm... yummy!
I tried jumping on that bandwagon because my sister was on a Lean Cuisine kick for a while. But BLECH, almost all of the ones I tried were bland and none of them were filling. Green Giant Steamed Vegetable Garden Medley FTW! :)
I don't feel sorry for you at all. Why would you eat that processed shit? You say you're on a diet? Well, I would start by a.) making your own food and b.) eating real food
I love Lean Cuisines, especially the Southwest Chicken Panini! I try not to get them very often because the sodium content can be a little ridiculous, but they definitely are convenient. I usually have 'em with some yogurt or a handful of almonds, and they tide me over just fine. Also, 5 for $20 doesn't sound like much of a sale...they're usually 5 for $10 when they go on sale here!
I try my hardest to stay away from these things! My body reacts so negatively when I eat them.
Lol um that's why you don't buy 30 of something you don't even know if you'll completely like...and I find it hilarious when people say they're going to be healthier by switching from Pop to Diet Pop. Why not just drink water? Or tea? I guess because I've never been dependent on soda that I don't understand people who need to drink it.
I tried those Lean Cuisine steam bag things, those were pretty good, but they're so expensive. It's much cheaper and healthier to research wholesome recipes and plan your meals out every week. That's what I do. Plus frozen food, microwaved, is just never as good as real cooking.I love them, but your right not as much food as I'd like. But I find if I throw some fruit in or extra veggies its a better amount. It'd be cheaper and even healthier I'm sure to cook nutritious meals... but I barely have time to eat some weeks (slight exaggeration/excuse making but you know...). After school I plan in taking some time to learn to cook more than the basics!
Haha, the boxes definitely make them delicious looking. There are two or three that I enjoy but the flavors do get rather boring. Nice thing to have on hand every now and then.
The key to a not hungry day is a nice, filling but healthy breakfast. Small lunch, just something to keep you until dinner.
Instead of lean cuisine, I'd take like, a can of green beans to work as a snackie. I freaking love green beans x)
one egg + one egg white, whole wheat toast, canadian bacon, and fruit.
egg white omelet with veggies
greek yogurt and fruit with a piece of toast.
boom. breakfast
now is that really that hard?
btw, I'd suggest 1% or skim milk, 2% still has a lot of fat.
Have you tried Weight Watcher's Smart Ones? They're pretty great :)
5 boxes for $20? Where the hell do you live? O_O
My family and I used to eat lots of Lean Cuisine and Smart Ones. I don't miss them. They're low on fat and sodium, but they are very processed. Perhaps if you like the combinations, you could cook them yourself. Like the salmon with carrots and basil sauce...easy! And better for you.
I always get disappointed by frozen dinners. I dabbled in them my sophomore year when I had a kitchen and was eating ramen most nights.
I NEED a big lunch because that is when I am the hungriest. Now that I'm off the meal plan, my usual lunch involves; a handful of baby carrots, piece of fruit, yogurt, sandwich (p&J, but as of last week I've been eating turkey and provolane with spinach and alfalfa), and something a fiberone or fiberplus bar as a after lunch snack. It's filling and decently healthy. Only critique I keep getting is I use white bread, but I really am not a fan of wheat and I can't afford anything expensive with how quickly I go through it.
Oh and for breakfast, if you like cereal, buy a non-sugary variety (I love cornflakes and multigrain cheerios) and use skin or non-dairy milk. I switch between skim and almond milk.
I also don't usually eat meat at dinner time unless I'm out (though this week has been a lean pocket dinner week , might as well just be eating a lean cuisine dinner v.v) and I eat a greek yogurt instead. or eggs. or cheese.
@CrystalisLeaves@xanga - I
am a canned green bean fiend but it makes me sad that they don't really
have any nutritional value. Either way, they are what I usually eat
with my rice/pasta of the night if I don't have any salad/spinach in the
fridge.
You should try Amy's frozen meals. They are generally vegan, but VERY delicious. Sometimes they have great sales and I jump to buy their enchiladas and frozen burritos.
i've been on a diet for 70 days (i keep an online journal on here!) and i've been eating lean cuisine and weight watchers meals for every lunch. they are VERY limited, i know. so that's why i bring extra food with me at work (healthy food obviously!) maybe you can buy that kind of food, then eat something healthy immediately. my mom buys this low-calorie popcorn (only 110 calories per bag!) and i eat that after the lunch and i'm full for a few hours :)and then if i get hungry again, i eat lowfat yogurt (80 calories!) and maybe mini rice cakes :)
haha thats why its called lean cuisine. i like lean cuisine but will only buy it if they have the 10 for $10 sale at albertsons. one of my friend eats lean cuisine as a snack though. hahaha.
butternut squash lean cuisine withhhh baked apples for dinner and lots of water fills me up, and im fat.. tbh haha
include salad with lean cuisine meal would help you feel fuller. or add lots of non starchy vegetables
Personally I like the Weight Watchers dinners better and they even have snacks and dessert.
I keep bags of frozen veggies in the freezer, and microwave a bowl full to go with the lean cuisine. I mix it all up, and it tastes great and fills me up as well! I don't just get lean cuisine tho, i do smart ones (Weight watchers) as well! LC's pizzas are the bomb, too.
it may too expensive lol
- Paula voodoo spell