Monday, March 19, 2018

10 Balanced Meal Ideas with Frozen Foods


Spring and the warm weather it brings is almost here, and typically busier schedules come with it. To combat the craziness, we want to give you some helpful ideas on quick and easy meals to bring to your table. We have brainstormed 10 meals that follow MyPlate recommendations, as each meal provides a protein (meat or dairy), carbohydrate, and fruit and/or vegetable. Since March is also National Frozen Food Month, we have incorporated at least one frozen food item into each meal idea to help make the dish even easier on your busy schedules!

*Note: Each recipe below the images is a serving for one, but can easily be adjusted to serve more.

Breakfast
 Breakfast Sandwich Meal 
Green Giant Antioxidant Blend Veggies + Egg + English Muffin + Piece of Fruit
Approximate time: 10 min
-Scramble 1 or 2 eggs in a pan and add onto toasted whole wheat English muffin
-Heat Green Giant Antioxidant Blend Veggies in microwave according to directions on package and add to plate as a side
-Pair with a fruit of choice
Topped Whole Grain Waffles
Kashi Whole Grain Waffles + Sliced Banana + Blueberries + Honey + Walnuts
Approximate time: 5 min.
-Toast 2 waffles according to the directions on the box
-Add banana slices, blueberries, honey and walnut pieces as toppings
Banana Strawberry Smoothie
Banana/Strawberry frozen mix + Spinach + Chia Seeds + Honey + Milk (protein)
Approximate time: 5 min.
-Add 1 cup frozen sliced strawberries & bananas, 1 cup spinach, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, ½ tablespoon honey and 1 cup milk into the blender
-Blend until smooth consistency and pour into glass

Lunch/Dinner
Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables
Great Giant Teriyaki Steamers + Rotisserie Chicken
Approximate time: 8 min.
-Steam vegetables according to the instructions on the box; add serving to a plate
-Slice Rotisserie chicken; add serving to a plate
Butternut Squash Salad
Earthbound Butternut Squash + Frozen Broccoli + Sunflower Seed Kernels + Dried Cranberries + Bolthouse Farms Dressing
Approximate time: 8 min.
-Heat butternut squash according to package instructions; add a serving to plate
-Steam broccoli according to packet instructions; add a serving to plate
-Sprinkle sunflower seed kernels and dried cranberries on top
-Add your choice of Bolthouse Farms Dressing  
Salmon, Cauliflower Rice, and Broccoli
Birds Eye Riced Cauliflower + Salmon + Frozen Broccoli
Approximate time: 10 min.
-Heat riced cauliflower according to the box instructions; add to plate
-Make salmon according to the directions on package; add to plate
- Steam broccoli according to packet instructions; add to the plate
Tilapia, Asian Style Vegetables/Grains, and Lemon
Birds Eye Asian Style Protein Blend + Frozen Tilapia + Lemon Slices
Approximate time: 10 min.
-Make frozen tilapia according to the directions on the package; add to the plate
-Heat vegetable/grain mix according to bag directions; add to plate
-Slice lemon; add slices on side of the plate
Barbecue Veggie Pulled Pork Wraps with Red Cabbage
Morningstar Veggie Pulled Pork + Fold it (wrap) + Barbecue sauce + Red Cabbage Mix
Approximate time: 6 min.
-Make veggie pulled pork according to the package- add on top of Fold it
-Add serving of red cabbage to pork
-Add barbecue sauce on top; fold wrap to eat
Chicken, Southwest Vegetables, and Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Birds Eye Southwest Style Protein Blends + Rotisserie Chicken + Birds Eye Mashed Sweet Potatoes & Carrots
Approximate time: 10 min.
-Heat vegetables according to the instructions on the bag; add to a plate
-Heat mashed sweet potatoes according to the instructions on the box; add serving to the plate
-Slice Rotisserie chicken; add serving to the plate

Dessert
Halo Top Sundae
Halo Top Ice cream (flavor of choice) + Frozen Fruit + Sliced Almonds + Coconut Flakes 
Approximate time: 5 min.
-Scoop Halo top ice cream into a bowl
-Add frozen fruit of choice on top (used sliced strawberries & bananas here)
-Sprinkly sliced almonds and coconut flakes on top

We hope these meal ideas can help get you through this busy season with time to spare! Let us know what your favorites are! J

Until next time,

Your West Lakes Hy-Vee Dietitians

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