New Research Indicates Ounce for Ounce, Frozen Meals Provide the Same or Better Calorie & Nutrient Benefit Than Pricier Diet ...
March 31 2015 - 12:32PM
Business Wire
Single-serve frozen meals are accessible and affordable
alternatives to meals offered by commercial weight loss
programs.
It turns out pricey diet meals aren’t the only convenient
portion-controlled meal option for weight management, according to
new research presented by ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) at
Experimental Biology (EB) 2015. The study led by Kristin Reimers,
PhD, RD, ConAgra Foods, found that ounce for ounce, single-serve
frozen meals widely available in grocery stores often provide the
same or better calorie and nutrient benefits as meals available
exclusively through weight loss centers or websites.
“Many think there is something nutritionally unique about the
meal options that come with a contract and hefty price tag, and
that’s just not the case! Certain pre-portioned frozen meals, like
those from Healthy Choice®, are flavorful and satisfying and
provide the same benefits for those managing their weight,” says
registered dietitian and author of The Small Change Diet, Keri
Gans. “Not only are frozen meals generally less expensive and more
accessible than diet meals, like those from Jenny Craig® and
NutriSystem®, they also offer equal – or better – calorie,
saturated fat and sodium savings as the diet program meals. What
more could you ask for?”
The study compared perceptions about single-serve frozen meals
widely available in stores and single-serve meals (diet meals)
available through weight loss membership centers or websites. In
the study, 114 adult women, blinded to the brands, evaluated three
ravioli meals (Healthy Choice representing a frozen meal and Jenny
Craig and NutriSystem representing diet meals) for their sensory
characteristics and descriptive attributes. Results showed that
they preferred the flavor and sauce of Healthy Choice. In side-
by-side comparisons, the participants preferred the Healthy Choice
meal overall and significantly more women found the Healthy Choice
meal to be fresh (74%), healthy (71%), and made with natural
ingredients (61%), compared to the other two meals. Additionally,
the researchers found that awareness of nutrition facts improved
participants’ perceptions about frozen meals. When the study
participants became aware that an average Healthy Choice frozen
meal offers the same or lower calories, saturated fat and sodium
content as equal portions of an average diet meal, the percentage
of women who intended to use frozen meals like Healthy Choice to
help them manage their weight rose from 51% to 85%.
Frozen meals and entrees, like Healthy Choice, offer a better
value than meals and entrees from commercial weight loss programs,
even before shipping and membership fees are applied. This study
suggests a great-tasting and cost-effective weight management
strategy might be as close as your freezer.
This research was supported by ConAgra Foods, Inc., and
abstracts are available via
www.ConAgraFoodsScienceInstitute.com.
ABOUT CONAGRA FOODS
ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America's
largest packaged food companies with branded and private branded
food found in 99 percent of America’s households, as well as a
strong commercial foods business serving restaurants and
foodservice operations globally. Consumers can find recognized
brands such as Banquet®, Chef Boyardee®, Egg Beaters®, Healthy
Choice®, Hebrew National®, Hunt's®, Marie Callender's®, Orville
Redenbacher's®, PAM®, Peter Pan®, Reddi-wip®, Slim Jim®, Snack
Pack® and many other ConAgra Foods brands, along with food sold by
ConAgra Foods under private brand labels, in grocery, convenience,
mass merchandise, club and drug stores. Additionally, ConAgra Foods
supplies frozen potato and sweet potato items as well as other
vegetable, spice, and bakery goods to commercial and foodservice
customers. ConAgra Foods operates ReadySetEat.com, an interactive
recipe website that provides consumers with easy dinner recipes and
more. For more information, please visit us at
www.conagrafoods.com.
EdelmanMorgan Shelton,
312-297-7050Morgan.Shelton@edelman.comorConAgra FoodsLanie
Friedman,
630-857-1086Lanie.Friedman@conagrafoods.comwww.conagrafoods.comwww.brandsite.com
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