Latest Trend For Dieters: Delivered Meals

Dietician Keri Glassman Compares Offerings

(CBS)  Most of us are always looking for new ways to lose those unwanted pounds.

One trend catching on more and more: prepared meals delivered directly to your home.

On The Early Show Tuesday, registered dietician Keri Glassman took a look at product lines of companies leading the way, and offered advice on what to be sure frozen foods you buy on your own contain, nutrition-wise.

Glassman points out that meal delivery services are convenient and fast, and feature balanced meals, with proper portions. The thinking's done for you! They're great for busy people, she adds.

Pros

EASY: Takes out all the guesswork; for those looking to lose weight/maintain weight, this is a sure way -- IF you only consumes what's given to you.

FAST: Real time-savers. What's better than waking up in the morning, opening your front door and seeing all your meals for the day -- or having your meals delivered for the month?!

PORTION CONTROL: You can still eat a lot of your favorite foods because the amounts you get are controlled.

VARIETY: Customizable and flexible, enabling customers to tailor their meal plan based on their likes and dislikes; meals are interchangeable.

Cons

There are not endless options, so may be hard if you are a very picky eater! Not all systems are completely customizable. If dining out is part of your lifestyle, this won't work for you long-term. And delivered meals are moderately expensive; NutriSystem is the most affordable.

Chef's Diet:

Based on the Zone Diet, it has meals that are 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein, and 30 percent fat.

It includes frozen or fresh food ranging from $22.95 to $39.99 per day. Fresh food is delivered every day and frozen food once a week.

Nu Kitchen

Nu Kitchen, Glassman says, is "all fresh ... fresh, healthy food, almost like having your own personal chef. ... It's all about calorie and portion control." Convenient, fast, delivered to your door every day, for about $35 per day.

NutriSystem:

Approximately $300 per month (plus add on $3-5 a day for fresh fruits, veggies and dairy). Also, you can purchase extra snacks. Convenient. Fast. Easy. No guesswork.

These are shelf-stable meals -- they don't need refrigeration or freezing. These meals aren't frozen or fresh. You can take them anywhere.

They're delivered once a month -- breakfasts, lunches, dinners and a dessert a day to last a month.

FROZEN FOODS FROM THE SUPERMARKET AISLE

Many frozen meals are more AFFORDABLE, offer healthy options, and are quick!

Grocery freezers are packed with them, so what should people look for?

Sodium: 650mg (of the recommended 2400mg per day for the average adult)

Fat: Less than 9g

Calories: 200-400 calories (When looking at calories, keep in mind the other foods you're eating in your diet. You may want to add a side salad with some of the lower calorie options.

Protein: At least 15g

Added bonus: High fiber!

Some options meeting most of these guidelines:

Kashi All Natural Entrees:

Chicken Pasta Pomodoro -- 280 calories, 6g fat, 470mg sodium, 19g protein, and 6g fiber
Five-Cheese Tomato Pizza -- 290 calories, 9g fat, 570mg sodium, 14g protein, and 4g fiber
Cost -- $4.49

Lean Cuisine Spa:

Butternut Squash Ravioli -- 350 calories, 9g fat, 660mg sodium, 13g, protein, and 6g fiber
Cost -- $3.89

South Beach:

Four Cheese Pizza -- 340 calories, 11g fat, 650 mg sodium, 31g protein, and 10g fiber
Garlic Herb Chicken, with Green Bean Almodine -- 240 calories, 10g fat, 550mg sodium, 23g protein, and 3g fiber
Cost -- $3.19

Check the ingredient list! Some frozen meals are loaded with ingredients you don't recognize or watn.

Try to avoid ones with partially hydrogenated ingredients, high fructose corn syrup, and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene); it's used as an antioxidant food additive, meaning it prevents changes in food color, odor and taste. It's found mostly in chewing gum, and high fat foods such as potato chips and shortening. BHT has been banned from infant foods in the U.S. and alogether in Japan, Sweden, and Australia. It's been linked to cancer in some studies.

[drivelphobe]

Great! Just waddle your huge carcass to the front door and start grazing. You don''t even have to spend any energy going to the market.

This can''t help. The problem is uncontrolled stuffing the face. This is just another gimmick to make someone rich. Well if you''re stupid enough to believe this is an answer, go to it.

People who are fat don''t care enough about their condition to make any changes or else they wouldn''t look like they do. That''s it!

[mrouimi]

This was an informative segment. It was interesting to hear what companies are out there delivering diet food, what they consist of, and how much they cost. This is a GREAT idea for those who want healthy food on hand and have limited time to shop and/or cook. I especially liked the information about what to look for in each frozen meal: how much fat, sodium and fiber content is appropriate for those trying to shed a few pounds like me! Thank you CBS!