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Release date 01/05/2010
YONKERS, NY — From the labs at Consumer Reports, some dinner recommendations that aren’t quite fine dining but can help dieters control their portions and lose weight. In the February issue, 14 out of 24 microwaveable meals earn a “Very Good” rating for taste, a marked improvement since the last time prepared meals were tested in 2004. But Consumer Reports Health notes that many entrées have so few calories that diners may need to round out their meals with a few side dishes.
The report is part of “Get Fit In 2010,” a do-it-yourself Web guide at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org. The Web site includes new ratings of bathroom scales, fitness tips for a variety of workout styles, and low-cost ways to stay healthy in bad weather.
“The leading brands have really come a long way in terms of taste. And all but two of the meals we tested earned high marks for nutrition as well. The key thing to watch out for is sodium; we recommend that consumers try to avoid meals with more than six hundred milligrams,” said Jamie Hirsh, associate editor, Consumer Reports Health.
The top tasting prepared meals offer a range of options in four categories: chicken, beef, pasta/bean, and shrimp. Non-meat eaters, you’re in luck: the pasta/bean category outshines the others, offering the most meals deemed Very Good in taste by Consumer Reports’ tough testers. Consumer Reports Health recommends four meals in this category based on taste and sodium count: Lean Cuisine One Dish Favorites Santa Fe-Style Rice & Beans ($2.57); Kashi Black Bean Mango ($4.10); Kashi Garden Vegetable Pasta $3.95); and Healthy Choice All Natural Entrées Portabella Spinach Parmesan ($2.51) (the manufacturer says the product and packaging have changed since Consumer Reports’ tests).
“The Kashi brand is clearly one to watch. It was the only brand that earned a Very Good score for both nutrition and taste for all four of its meals that we tested, though they are a little pricier than most,” said Hirsh.
Other recommended meals include Kashi Chicken Florentine ($3.96); Healthy Choice Café Steamers Roasted Beef Merlot ($3.45) (the manufacturer says the product and packaging have changed); Lean Cuisine Cafe Classics Steak Tips Portabello ($3.26); and Lean Cuisine Cafe Classics Shrimp Alfredo ($3.24).
Tips for Getting The Most From Your Diet Entrée:
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2010 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2010 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.