Originally Posted by SparkPeople

* Quick & easy. Being a practical mom, I know that there are nights when heating a frozen dinner can be the key to getting everyone in the family fed quickly and efficiently, with very little clean-up. Your family can eat in 15 minutes or so and spend some time catching up on the events of the day.
* Built-in portion control! In the age of biggie-this and over-stuffed that, the frozen dinner is a portion-controlled delight! Few people will actually heat another dinner, and there's no temptation of going back for seconds.
* Vegetable servings. Green beans, corn, carrots and more, there is at least one (sometimes two!) veggie servings on that tray.
* Prefect for the single scene. Very few people like to cook for themselves. Whether your 18 or 80, living in a college dwelling or senior citizen apartment, frozen dinners offer great variety for those eating meals alone.
* Easy prep for all. For anyone who has difficulty in the kitchen due to joint pain, a physical constraint, balance problems, or post-op healing time, frozen dinners can be the trick for easy-yet-nutritious meals.
* When the cooks away, dinner still stays. When your family's "head cook" needs to take care of business or is gone for a few days, frozen dinners come to the rescue.
* Economical. Frozen dinners are less expensive than dining out.

Selection and Serving Strategies
So how do you make the best choice, faced with hundreds of frozen dinners and entrees that are readily available?

* Frozen meals have gotten tastier over the years, but you still must buy and try before you find your favorites.
* Beware of potpies with crust, Hungry Man dinners, and stuffed-crust or extra-cheese pizzas.
* Select dinners that are balanced and contain a lean source of protein, such as Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice, and Weight Watchers brands.
* Choose dinners or entrees with no more than 300-400 calories.
* Choose meals with no more than 30% of the calories coming from fat. This would be about 10-14 grams of total fat if the meal contains 300-400 calories.
* Select meals with no more than 6 grams of saturated fat.
* Aim for a sodium content no higher than 600 milligrams.
* Add on a side salad with low calorie dressing, a serving of fruit, and a glass of low-fat milk to round out the meal. This will help you boost the fiber, calcium and nutrient contents of your meal.