It was the original chill zone: the sprawling, packed, wondrous aisle of frozen foods at Walmart.
You know the one. It's jammed with semi-abandoned carts, their owners shoulders-deep in a fridge scouting for any number of items. You take the plunge down it and immediately reach for your designated freezer-aisle sweatshirt, and as cool bursts of air swing towards you, you wonder: how does anyone ever master the navigation of this place?
Walmart's frozen food section does not mess around when it comes to frozen options. While frozen foods sometimes gets a bad rap, but there's actually no shortage of healthy options. Case in point: These are the best frozen foods to buy at Walmart.
Quorn Meatless Grounds
Natalie Rizzo, MS, RD, says one of her favorite products is Quorn's Meatless Grounds, which are made from mycoprotein and packed with protein and fiber.
"I love swapping [meatless grounds] into recipes that traditionally use ground meat," says Rizzo. She notes that they have a very similar taste and texture to ground beef or turkey, so they're perfect in meals like chili, tacos, or pasta.
Quorn Meatless Nuggets
Rizzo says another favorite for an easy, pre-made, and high quality meat-free protein source is the Quorn Meatless Nuggets.
"Just pop them in the oven or microwave, and you've got 10 plus grams of meat-free protein in minutes," she says.
Great Value Organic Steamable Riced Cauliflower
"Walmart's frozen cauliflower rice is one frozen food item I'd recommend time and time again," says Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD. Best explains that cauliflower is a nutrient-dense vegetable that often gets overlooked because of its lack of color and flavor—but don't rule it out just yet.
"[Cauliflower] is extremely versatile and is one of the easiest veggies to sneak into a meal to boost its nutritional value," Best says. She recommends adding cauliflower rice to stews and casseroles—it can even serve as a replacement for traditional rice in any dish you typically serve.
"The major benefit of cauliflower rice is its high-fiber and low-calorie nature," Best says. "This allows you to add beneficial fiber into your diet without a surge of calories."
Teton Waters Ranch Original Breakfast Sausage Links
"This isn't your average breakfast sausage," says Mackenzie Burgess, a Colorado-based RD, nutritionist, and recipe developer at Cheerful Choices. Burgess explains that Teton Waters Ranch products are all 100% grass-fed, which means they have two to four times more omega-3 fats than other meats.
"Omega-3s play an important role in brain function and development as well as keeping our heart healthy," says Burgess. For a balanced meal, she recommends pairing this sausage with a veggie scramble and fruit.
Cali'flour Foods Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Burgess recommends this ready-to-go cauliflower crust for a plant-based twist on classic pizza. "I love how the ingredients are gluten-free and vegan-friendly, making it suitable for different dietary preferences," she says. Furthermore, one serving packs in seven grams of protein as well as other important nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, and iron.
Healthy Choice Simply Steamers Grilled Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo
"Made of 100% natural chicken breast and broccoli, this meal is a perfect combination for one's go-to meals," says Reda Elmardi, PT, a trainer and nutritionist.
Elmardi explains that it's easy to cook in the microwave and has no preservatives—it only incorporates high-quality ingredients. At just 190 calories and 0 grams of trans fat, this dish is both healthy and delicious. Plus, it's packed with protein.
Nutrisystem Turkey, Ham, & Cheese Omelet
Elmardi says that this meal substitute is both nutritionally balanced and delicious, making it a healthy choice for everyone.
"Made with natural ingredients and free from unnecessary additives, one can enjoy it every morning to fuel themselves up," says Elmardi. She also notes that, because it was developed by weight loss experts, it's an excellent choice for anyone in search of meal substitutes to lose weight in a healthy manner.
Great Value Frozen Mixed Vegetables
Amanda Izquierdo, MPH, RD, LDN, is a big fan of Great Value frozen vegetables. "Most varieties are under one dollar and offer a great way to keep vegetables on hand that have a longer shelf life than their fresh counterparts," says Izquierdo.
The best part? Frozen vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh vegetables because, as Izquierdo explains, they're picked at peak ripeness and then flash frozen so they retain their nutrients.
Great Value Wild Caught Pink Salmon Skin-On Fillets
Izquierdo says that salmon is best-known for its omega-3 fatty acids, but that's not its only health benefit. "[It's] also an excellent source of vitamin D, which supports bone health and is involved in immune function," she says.
Great Value Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
"These chicken breasts are minimally processed without any artificial ingredients," says Izquierdo. She notes that a four-ounce chicken breast contains more than 20 grams of protein, so it's a great option for an easy-to-make meal that's both filling and nutritious.
Great Value Edamame
If you're looking to reduce your meat consumption, Izquierdo says edamame is an excellent plant-based source of protein. It contains seven grams of protein in just one serving.
Beyond Meat Crumbles
If you're looking for more plant-based sources of protein, Nichole Dandrea, MS, RDN, of Purely Planted, suggests Beyond Meat Crumbles. They're versatile and can be used in tacos, pasta sauce, or to make a warm winter chili.
Frozen Fruits & Vegetables
Dandrea advises consumers to stick to the "whole food category" by buying frozen fruits and vegetables.
"Since they're often frozen immediately after they're harvested, frozen fruits and vegetables pack as much nutrition—and sometimes more—as fresh," she says.
Plus, Dandrea notes that fruits and vegetables are typically more affordable when purchased frozen and in large packages. "Frozen fruits and vegetables are less likely to be wasted compared to fresh since they can be kept for a longer period of time," she says.
Healthy Choice Beef Merlot
This microwaveable meal is gluten-free and, at just 180 calories, it packs in a high amount of protein, healthy carbs, and veggies.
Great Value Freeze Dried Fruit Crisps
Who doesn't love fruit snacks? We recommend this brand because there are no added sugars, and the sweetness comes purely from the fruit itself. You can eat them as a snack or add them to your oatmeal, yogurt, or cereal for some extra flavor.
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries have been a longstanding "healthy alternative" to regular french fries, and the frozen versions are no different. These burnt-orange beauties are low in salt and calories, while still managing to keep the sugar and fat count down, too.
Chicken Wing Sections
This white-meat option has an impressive amount of protein, considering the relatively low calorie count. Considering how fun chicken wings are to eat, we recommend tossing a pack of these in the cart and serving them at your next gathering.
Shredded Hash Browns
Who knew that hash browns could end up being one of the best frozen food items you can find at Walmart? We're not sure if that's a pro for the 'browns or a con for Great Value's selection, but either way—this frozen bag of thinly-sliced potatoes is a safe health move.
Frozen Catfish Fillets
There's not much to this fillet, which is exactly why it ranks so highly on our roundup. You are getting clean protein, healthy fats, and energy. Thaw away!
Flounder Fillets
Frozen flounder may not sound the most appetizing, but done right, it can be a true power food. Look at the potential: only 120 calories, no sugar, no saturated fat, and 17 grams of protein! These bad boys are practically begging to be grilled and tossed atop a bed of greens.
Wild Caught Pacific Cod Fillets
When it comes to these cod fillets versus the skinless salmon, the competition is tight. It really depends on your preference: while the cod does contain slightly fewer calories, it is notably saltier and a little less protein-filled. Either way, though, you can't go wrong with Great Value's frozen fish.
Cooked Medium Peeled & Deveined Tail-On Shrimp
Ah, shrimp. The classic cocktail-hour aperitif is also staggeringly healthy and, when sold frozen, easy to whip up. Although Great Value's shrimp does deliver less protein than other fish varieties, it's incredibly low calorie, sodium, and fat counts stick it at a firm number two on our roundup.
Tilapia Skinless & Boneless Fillets
If you thought other Great Value frozen fish options were healthy, you will be floored by this skinless and boneless tilapia fillet. Ringing in incredibly low across the board—only 90 calories, 40 milligrams of sodium, and 1.5 grams of fat—the tilapia somehow also contains 21 grams of protein. This is clean, power eating at finest, and it's all thanks to the Walmart frozen foods aisle.
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