Convenience Foods that are Worth It

We do not eat many ready made foods.  I buy very few things from the frozen aisles at my supermarket.  However, I am a busy mom, and lets face it, it is 2012.  Some things are just easier, and why mess with that?  I have incorporated some convenience foods into our healthy diets.  These are a list of the ones I feel are truly worth it, keeping both the cost, and ease of use in mind.

Frozen fish fillets that are pre-packaged in the seafood department are usually cheaper, and are de-boned.  Be sure to check the ingredients to make sure the only one is fish, and check the package to be sure it is wild caught.  I will admit that fish does lose some flavor when packed this way, but with the right seasonings and cooking methods, it is still delicious!

I will buy turkey or chicken sausage if I find it on sale.  It can be high in sodium, but I make sure the rest of our meal is fresh.  For example, I will serve the sausage with tons of veggies and baked potato.

One of my FAVORITE convenience foods is instant brown rice.  This is rice that is ready to eat in 10 minutes or less.  You do not lose nutrients, it is a much better option than white rice, and it is super fast.  This is a go to addition to almost any meal.

Jarred pasta sauce is another convenience food that I now buy.  Before becoming a mom, I always made my sauce, however, this was an easy time-saving switch.  Today, you can find jarred sauce that is lower in sodium and contains few ingredients.  One of my favorite choices is Prego Heart Smart.  I can find coupons for it, it goes on sale, and it has few ingredients.  It also tastes good, and has low salt compared to other choices.

Salsa is one of those foods I absolutely LOVE to make, but I also have no problem buying a jar if I do not have the time.  It is versatile, low in calories, and inexpensive.

Last, but most certainly not least, FROZEN VEGGIES!  How can one resist?

Be sure to come back for a future blog, "Convenience Foods that are NOT Worth It!"