The notion tends to be that convenient food isn’t always the healthiest food –– and for good reason. For the most part, health and convenience really are mutually exclusive, which of course is pretty bad news for the healthy eaters among us who would rather spend time at the dentist, or jury duty, or on a crowded bus on a hot summer day than in the kitchen. (Okay, maybe not the bus in summer, but you get it.)
But to all the healthy yet hopelessly hopeless eaters out there, we say fret not! We’ve made it our mission to track down the microwave meals with the best nutritional breakdowns so that you can have your cake microwavable dinner and eat it, too.
Evol Fire Grilled Steak
We're sure we already had you sold at "fire grilled steak" but humor us and allow us to break this bad boy down, anyway. This hearty bowl from Evol is basically like a healthified version of something out of Chipotle, and it does an impressive job of serving up a ton of nutrients (and not that many calories) without sacrificing flavor in the process. Ingredients like steak and black beans make the meal a heavy hitter when it comes to protein (20 grams is legit) while a cilantro lime pesto sauce allows for a flavorful medley that can still come in at just 400 calories. SHOP NOW
Amy's Kitchen Brown Rice & Vegetable Bowl
When you find a brand of microwavable meals that tends to get a nod from dietitians, then you know you're solid. That's more or less the case with meals from Amy's Kitchen, which are notably low in sodium as far as the frozen meal norm goes. This dish in particular –– the brown rice and vegetable bowl –– comes in at just 270 milligrams of sodium (!) and 260 calories, making it a great option if you’re looking for a lighter midday meal. SHOP NOW
Beetnik Organic Chicken Chili Verde
When you think of frozen dinner, you don’t really think of organic produce and pasture-raised chicken, but apparently the people over at Beetnik do. This flavorful chicken chili verde dish is not only certified organic, free of GMOs, and gluten-free, but it’s also got itself a wholesomeness seal from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Fancy.) With a nice 16 grams of protein per serving –– not to mention 15% and 20% of your daily recommended iron and potassium, respectively –– this is a dish that you can definitely feel guilt-free about. Plus, at just 200 calories, you can always do a little customization by adding a heartier base to the chicken dish, like a whole grain or some chickpeas, that can round out the meal. SHOP NOW
Wildscape Gochujang Cauliflower & Quinoa Bowl
You may not be familiar with gochujang, but believe us when we say that it’s about to totally transform your tastebuds (why yes, we are good at alliteration, thank you for noticing). The spicy sauce gives this veggie dish –– which, mind you, is chef-developed with the goal of making high quality, healthy food as convenient and enjoyable as it is good for you –– a powerful flavor kick, while the medley of cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and carrots makes for a nutrient-packed dish. Add to that the chickpeas and quinoa base, and you’ve got yourself an impressive 12 grams of protein to go with the 13 grams of fiber and 330 calories that you get per serving. SHOP NOW
Luvo Performance Kitchen Roasted Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Even when you're used to eating clean and can honestly say that you eat your vegetables as much for nutrition as you do because you enjoy it, there comes a time in everyone's life where we feel a yearning for something indulgent. When that time comes and you find yourself trying to decide if a little indulgence is worth hanging up your healthy ways, we suggest opting for something that offers the best of both worlds. This roasted cauliflower mac & cheese –– which uses brown rice macaroni –– from Luvo does just that. It delivers an impressive amount of protein and fiber –– 11 grams and 5 grams, respectively –– and offers up a hearty serving of vegetables. SHOP NOW
