The healthiest and unhealthiest frozen dinners

The first frozen dinner was produced in 1945 and before long they were all the rage as Americans dined on them in front of their TV sets. Though some things have changed, they’re still a popular option for people looking for a quick and easy meal, even if they’re not always the healthiest choice.

Since not all frozen meals are created equal, it’s important to choose wisely and always check the label for ingredients and nutrition information before throwing one in the cart at your favorite grocery store.

Excluding breakfast foods, we looked at popular brands of frozen dinners that are either single-serving or, due to small portion size, most likely to be eaten in one sitting. Using a combination of calorie, fat and sodium content, we came up with a list of frozen dinners you might want to avoid, along with some healthier alternatives.