This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
Freezer foods have gained popularity over the years for their undeniable convenience, and from frozen pizza to a variety of other dishes, they’re often delicious too. But convenience doesn’t always correlate with health, and freezer meals can be loaded with preservatives and other unhealthy ingredients which will end up working against your goals. While you may be tempted to head to the freezer the next time you’re unsure of what to eat, there’s one food that health experts recommend avoiding at all costs.
Frozen chicken pot pies are the worst thing you can stock up on according to Trista Best, RD. While you may be fooled by the promise of protein in the chicken, Best warns you to look elsewhere. She says, “The health aspect as it relates to treating the common cold or flu is the cysteine content of the chicken. Cysteine is an amino acid present in chicken and is the primary reason chicken pot pie seems like an effective remedy for the common cold. Unfortunately, this is where the healthy characteristics end and can certainly be obtained through more nutritious chicken recipes.”
It can often be easy to ignore the unhealthy ingredients in a dish by focusing instead on the potential health benefits of other ingredients. But like in chicken pot pie, the other aspects of the meal such as the sodium and fat content far outweigh the benefit of the chicken. You would be much better off reaching for a fresher dish–one in which you can pronounce all of the ingredients. The fat content alone in chicken pot pie is enough to raise a red flag to Best. She says, “While chicken is a lean animal protein, the other ingredients like milk, butter and oil are high in saturated and trans fat. A diet containing large amounts of these fats can lead to heart disease and obesity.”
Generally, chicken pot pies are loaded with an overwhelming amount of sodium. Best explains, “Most varieties contain nearly 800mg of sodium which is around 35-40 percent of the recommended daily value. A diet high in sodium can lead to water retention, inflammation and hypertension to name just a few.” Especially if your goal is weight loss, steer clear of chicken pot pie if you want to see the physical benefits of your healthy diet and exercise. You may still be losing weight, but bloating can create the appearance of the opposite!
On a lazy evening you may be tempted to reach for a frozen pot pie or another easily thawed meal, but before doing so, take a good look at the ingredients list. If you’re aiming to create a healthy lifestyle for yourself, high sodium and fat content in your food should be avoided, even if that comes at the price of convenience. If you’re looking for an easy dish, meal prep a batch of chicken noodle soup or a curry at the beginning of the week and throw the rest in the freezer. You’ll be much better off knowing that you’re nourishing your body with whole ingredients, protein and veggies, without the added unknowns of a freezer meal.
Merrell Readman is an Associate Editor at SheFinds Media. When she isnt trying out new recipes and making a mess of the kitchen, she can be found covering the latest on wellness, beauty, fashion and celebrity news. You can reach Merrell at [email protected].
A bad chicken pot pie is worse for you than one made with good, fresh ingredients. The frozen ones tend to be high in fat and sodium. There’s nothing inherently unhealthy in a chicken pot pie, it’s basically chicken stew in a crust. If you’re watching your carbs you can just skip the crust.
Look, the grocery stores might be fully stocked again now, but the next time there’s a chicken shortage on the shelves, you can rest easy knowing there’s no shortage of hand-pulled organic chicken breasts inside my pie. It’s real meat. It’s a sauce that I’ve perfected over a lifetime. I’m not playing around here—we’re all family now, and I’m proud to offer you all a taste of home right out of your microwave and toaster.
Take a peek inside our classic chicken pot pie to find peas and carrots, sure, but also hunks of corn, red bell peppers, and leeks. Find real, whole foods and no “mechanically separated chicken” or hard to pronounce ingredients.
There’s even 26 grams of protein in there. I want you to feel good about picking the dish that feels good to eat. Comfort food doesn’t have to be all bad. It only tastes like a cheat day.
That’s exactly why you don’t need that same old red box pot pie from your childhood. Peas and carrots only? How uninspired. In the cafeteria, most of the pot pies in the freezer aisle are already produced by the same company, adding in the same boring fillings. It’s time for a change. It’s time for a pot pie that can fill you up without filling up your day’s allotment of calories, sodium, and fat.
It can often be easy to ignore the unhealthy ingredients in a dish by focusing instead on the potential health benefits of other ingredients. But like in chicken pot pie, the other aspects of the meal such as the sodium and fat content far outweigh the benefit of the chicken. You would be much better off reaching for a fresher dish–one in which you can pronounce all of the ingredients. The fat content alone in chicken pot pie is enough to raise a red flag to Best. She says, “While chicken is a lean animal protein, the other ingredients like milk, butter and oil are high in saturated and trans fat. A diet containing large amounts of these fats can lead to heart disease and obesity.”
Freezer foods have gained popularity over the years for their undeniable convenience, and from frozen pizza to a variety of other dishes, they’re often delicious too. But convenience doesn’t always correlate with health, and freezer meals can be loaded with preservatives and other unhealthy ingredients which will end up working against your goals. While you may be tempted to head to the freezer the next time you’re unsure of what to eat, there’s one food that health experts recommend avoiding at all costs.
Merrell Readman is an Associate Editor at SheFinds Media. When she isnt trying out new recipes and making a mess of the kitchen, she can be found covering the latest on wellness, beauty, fashion and celebrity news. You can reach Merrell at [email protected].
On a lazy evening you may be tempted to reach for a frozen pot pie or another easily thawed meal, but before doing so, take a good look at the ingredients list. If you’re aiming to create a healthy lifestyle for yourself, high sodium and fat content in your food should be avoided, even if that comes at the price of convenience. If you’re looking for an easy dish, meal prep a batch of chicken noodle soup or a curry at the beginning of the week and throw the rest in the freezer. You’ll be much better off knowing that you’re nourishing your body with whole ingredients, protein and veggies, without the added unknowns of a freezer meal.
This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
These Are The Only Frozen Pot Pies Worth Your Time
FAQ
Is eating pot pies healthy?
Is chicken pie junk food?
What is the benefit of pot pie?
Are pot pies easy to digest?
Is a pot pie healthy?
If you make your own crust with whole-wheat flour and minimal amounts of butter or oil, that would be much healthier. The chicken and vegetables in the pot pie can also be healthy choices if they are not covered in unhealthy sauces or processed foods.
Is chicken pot pie healthy?
Yes, chicken pot pie can be a healthy meal. It depends on the ingredients that are used. For example, if you use a store-bought crust or pastry, that is likely not very healthy. If you make your own crust with whole-wheat flour and minimal amounts of butter or oil, that would be much healthier.
Are chicken pot pies easy to make?
Upgrade your comfort food game with these elegant chicken pot pies. Made with rotisserie chicken and store-bought puff pastry, they’re as easy to whip as they are delicious. Between the chicken, the sauce, and the crust, you could spend an entire day in the kitchen making traditional chicken pot pie.
Are chicken pot pies savory?
In the heart of winter, few foods sound as warm and comforting as a chicken pot pie. While you may consider pie to be a sweet dish, some of the best pies in the country are savory. Most chicken pot pies begin with a pie crust similar to that which you would use for any other pie.