When I heard Atkins was coming out with frozen meals, I had mixed emotions. It’,s awesome that low-carbers will have some convenient options, but on the downside, what kind of ingredients will we be dealing with? So here I”,ll give you my thoughts on these meals, which will be available in Wal-Marts start Dec. 15th, 2012, and many other stores nationwide by Jan. 2, 2013.
The first meal I tried was the Atkins Chicken &, Broccoli Alfredo. I’,ll admit I’,m a sucker for alfredo anything, so I was anxious to give this one a try. I don’,t really miss pasta, but I do miss the rich, creamy sauces, so it’,s nice to have something that feels indulgent, but is still healthy.
While it looks like just about any other frozen dinner, when you take it out of the box, I’,m please to say it doesn’,t taste like a frozen dinner. Since I’,m often short on time, I used the microwave method to cook these (as I figure that’,s how most people will use these anyway). In less than 6 minutes I had a hot meal in front of me.
The texture of the chicken wasn’,t weird and it wasn’,t “,fake”, tasting. The broccoli was a nice color and the perfect crispness (not limp and tasteless like some meals). When I took a bite, I was like “,Oh no they didn’,t. They did not make a frozen dinner that tastes almost as good as homemade. It can’,t be done!”, Yet they did. It was really good. Not exactly homemade, but surprisingly close.
Nutrition info:
- Calories: 330
- Fat: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
- Sodium: 1070 mg
- Total Carbs: 9 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Net Carbs: 5 g
- Protein: 26 g
The next meal I tried was the Beef Merlot. I’,ve never liked the beef in pot pies and such. They always seemed icky to me. But I was happy to find this beef wasn’,t nasty at all. It tasted good and had kind of a roast beef texture to it. The sauce was delicious and again, the broccoli was good (although not quite as crisp as in the alfredo dish).
Nutrition info:
- Calories: 310
- Fat: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 3g
- Net Carbs: 6 g
- Protein: 16 g
The third dish I tried was the Roast Turkey Tenders with Herb Pan Gravy. This was really good. The gravy was so good that I just mixed it all together. I could have licked the bowl clean. I was especially happy that the beans weren’,t waxy and tough.
Nutrition info:
- Calories: 360
- Fat: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
- Sodium: 830 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Net Carbs: 5 g
- Protein: 23 g
I’,m hearing through the grapevine that the cost of these should run approximately $4-$5 each, and you’,ll have your choice of a variety of meals, including breakfast.
My only complaint about these meals are that the ingredients are not 100% to my preferences. I’,d LOVE to see these without traces of soy, wheat, corn, starches, or MSG. That being said, I’,ll probably keep a few of these on hand for when I’,m short on time, or the family is splurging on something I won’,t eat. While it’,s not ideal, it’,s probably better than running through the drive thru at the local burger joint.
I fully realize not everyone will agree with me on this (*Gasp!* Say it isn’,t so!), but I believe these will be fine for the occasional use. Especially if it helps someone break free from a fast food lunch habit, or gets them through an occasion without falling into temptation. We all have to run our own race, so I’,m all for doing whatever helps you get there, as long as you don’,t take it to extremes.
These meals were filling, delicious, and easy to make. While not perfect in the ingredients area, I believe that for most people without severe food allergies, these are acceptable for occasional use. I give them two big thumbs up! Click HERE for a $2.00 off coupon, and a chance to win a trip to L.A.!
Disclosure: I was provided these meals for review purposes. This in no way influenced my opinions, and I get no compensation for sales of this product.
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