Packaged Foods Discussion (Frozen, Canned, Shelf Stable, etc.)

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sun Jan 09, 2022 8:35 pm

Another one that's sure to make some eyes roll, but daily life almost necessitates you eat a frozen, canned, or otherwise packaged meal now and then. What are your favorites (or lesser of the evils)?

I am currently eating a Hungry Man Selects fried chicken breast with ham meal, and it is one on my favorites. I'm loving it. Their Backyard Barbecue is also at the top for me with salisbury steak meal, grilled beef patty meal, spicy chicken patty meal, and I'm sure there are a few others...

I also like a lot of the Healthy Choice steamer meals, and Lean Cuisine meals, Stouffers, too. But I'm enjoying this Hungry Man too much to go there right now. I'm sure I'll get to it.

Also, discuss any alterations, or doctoring you like to do to these types of meals to make them pretty good.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Sun Jan 09, 2022 10:37 pm

You could also title this "Processed foods(including SPAM) talk thread".

I won't roll my eyes but admittedly I'm much more selective about "food" and what I put in my body now than when I was younger. Nowadays if I'm to look for a quick pre-made it would be something from Whole Foods or Natty G's(Natural Grocers). While these stores may have healthier options I can't say I have favorites so much as what I'm willing to tolerate because I don't have the time to cook or just too tired to cook.

In my twenties I put down an awful lot of canned chicken, Hungry Man, Totino's and 25¢ ramen. Living in a dorm with no cafeteria I tried to get creative with eating the same thing all the time. I found canned chicken to be so much better with rice, ramen(drained), mandarin oranges and soy sauce. He!! I'd still probably eat that.

I still buy ramen but now it's the fancy $1 plus kind. I like to add my own seasoning, rotisserie chicken and fresh herbs. In fact, rotisserie chicken is one of my main go to's as a base protein to create various meals fairly quick. One of my favorites is to add it to toasted pearled cous cous(turmeric seasoned) with added white wine & garlic sautéed vegetables and fresh spinach.

I can't imagine buying much prepackaged/frozen food from Hy-Vee or Baker's much anymore but I do still occasionally enjoy a Home Run Inn Pizza from the local Kroger affiliate. I'm not sure if they're available in Omaha but they are absolutely the best frozen pizza at around $8 and probably rival many delivery options.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Jan 09, 2022 11:34 pm

Occasionally, I’ll purchase a package of White Castle cheeseburger sliders. They’re quick, easy to microwave (basically wrap 2 in a paper towel and microwave for a minute or so) and they’re done (they taste pretty good too)..also, I’ll sometimes buy Totinos Pizza Rolls.. That’s about it. I’m not a big frozen dinner person…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:04 am

nebport5 wrote: Sun Jan 09, 2022 10:37 pm Nowadays if I'm to look for a quick pre-made it would be something from Whole Foods or Natty G's(Natural Grocers).

Nice, I never heard anybody else call Natty G's Natty G's until now. That's what I call it, and I shop there pretty often. They should just change the name to that haha.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:27 am

I got a big trigger for lots: I sometimes buy the Hawaiian pizza that Hy-Vee sells, add a can of pineapple (drained), some more ham and more mozzarella. It's like a mega pineapple pizza. It's awesome.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:06 pm

What's surprising to me is Great Value comes in pretty clutch... All of their trail mixes are good (I really love the peanut butter one)... I always have their peanut butter and chocolate protein bars on tap... They seem to be the only brand I can find unsalted canned beans... They make a frozen cheeseburger that's ready in like a minute, and it's like, alllllright, it kinda tastes like BK, and I use it as a base and put on different toppings to make different variations, mind you I don't do it often, but it is a good thing to keep in the freezer... Their frozen fries are just fine... Frozen fruit and vegetables, they might as well be the only brand I buy... Their cheese is just fine... I like their honey roasted peanuts.

I'm just thinkin' of stuff. I haven't been to Walmart in a while, I think I need to walk the aisles here soon.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Jan 10, 2022 1:38 pm

Great Value does make some good stuff…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Post by **nebugeater** » Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:19 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 1:38 pm Great Value does make some good stuff…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I can tell you for the fact that when I worked in the food industry and we did products for Great Value brands they were nowhere near the quality of the other store brands that we made. They may taste OK but when we compared Like products for different store brands the labels showed the difference.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:29 pm

nebugeater wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:19 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 1:38 pm Great Value does make some good stuff…

Ciao..LiO…Peace
I can tell you for the fact that when I worked in the food industry and we did products for Great Value brands they were nowhere near the quality of the other store brands that we made. They may taste OK but when we compared Like products for different store brands the labels showed the difference.

I'm not doubting you at all, but we'd be comparing a nickel to a dime. GV is pretty good considering they are always the lowest price.

Post by **nebugeater** » Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:36 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:29 pm
nebugeater wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:19 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 1:38 pm Great Value does make some good stuff…

Ciao..LiO…Peace
I can tell you for the fact that when I worked in the food industry and we did products for Great Value brands they were nowhere near the quality of the other store brands that we made. They may taste OK but when we compared Like products for different store brands the labels showed the difference.
I'm not doubting you at all, but we'd be comparing a nickel to a dime. GV is pretty good considering they are always the lowest price.

Don't forget there are many products where the lower quality tastes better. Just nowhere near as good for you.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Jan 10, 2022 6:00 pm

nebugeater wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:36 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:29 pm
nebugeater wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:19 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 1:38 pm Great Value does make some good stuff…

Ciao..LiO…Peace
I can tell you for the fact that when I worked in the food industry and we did products for Great Value brands they were nowhere near the quality of the other store brands that we made. They may taste OK but when we compared Like products for different store brands the labels showed the difference.
I'm not doubting you at all, but we'd be comparing a nickel to a dime. GV is pretty good considering they are always the lowest price.
Don't forget there are many products where the lower quality tastes better. Just nowhere near as good for you.

I check the nutrition facts too. I studied nutrition in college. Surprisingly, most of the GV stuff I've come across checks out just fine, if not much better than other brands across the board.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Jan 10, 2022 7:30 pm

I’m no expert here.. Can I get a “yo” for White Castle cheeseburger sliders?..

…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

ricko · Post by **ricko** » Mon Jan 10, 2022 10:45 pm

Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken(frozen). Also their Harissa and their Chili Onion Crunch (I use it to make Pad Thai)——both great for stir-frying.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Jan 10, 2022 11:33 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 7:30 pm I’m no expert here.. Can I get a “yo” for White Castle cheeseburger sliders?..

I went to Walmart with the intent to buy some of those White Castle sliders as part of my trip, just to try em, but they wanted like almost $13. But I did see a GV impersonator for about 5 bucks, so I gave em a try. I mean, I've had White Castle two times in my life and I wasn't much of a fan. I think I can fairly extrapolate that the GV version that I'm eating right now can't be too far off. It would be a hard sell for me...

But during my trip, I have to say, another star of Walmart is their organic seasonings in the glass jars... They are about 80% of the seasonings in my cupboard.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Tue Jan 11, 2022 12:45 am

ricko wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 10:45 pm Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken(frozen). Also their Harissa and their Chili Onion Crunch (I use it to make Pad Thai)——both great for stir-frying.

I haven't been to TJ's in like nearly 10 years, but I really do love their frozen clam meal. I don't recall exactly the name of it, but it's whole clams with lots of garlic. It is 500% a frozen food hit. I don't even know if they sell it anymore, but I could definitely go for it.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sun Jan 23, 2022 10:00 pm

Tyson Anytizer wings (bone in and bone out) suck balls. I had some at a family playoff game watch party today and wow, they are bad. I would take Great Value's version any day, if I had to choose from frozen chicken wings.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Jan 23, 2022 11:09 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 11:33 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 7:30 pm I’m no expert here.. Can I get a “yo” for White Castle cheeseburger sliders?..
I went to Walmart with the intent to buy some of those White Castle sliders as part of my trip, just to try em, but they wanted like almost $13.

You can buy White Castle sliders, package of 6, at HyVee for $5.99…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

ChadJK · Post by **ChadJK** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:52 pm

This reminds me of an episode of King of Queens where Doug's cousin Danny is eating some pizza rolls and remarks something along the lines of, "Doug, these pizza rolls are incredible! What's your secret?" and Doug replies "Soak them in bacon grease." lol

I never ate many frozen prepared meals like Hungry Man, Lean Cuisine, etc.. I never found most of them very good and they were always so meagerly portioned that you'd end up eating two of them and then there went the value. I do like a good thin crust frozen pizza or some pizza rolls though. Also, frozen bean burritos (burrito in one hand and bottle of my favorite hot sauce in the other).

Here's the canned products I occasional like to have...

Dinty Moore Beef Stew
Hormel Corned Beef Hash
Chilli Man "No Beans" Chili
Chef Boyardee Mini Ravioli
Del Monte Harvest Spice Sliced Peaches (did these disappear?)

Boxed stuff would probably be...

Kraft Original Mac-n-Cheese
Mrs. Grass "Extra Noodles" Soup Mix
Nissin or Maruchan Ramen in the Blue Package (now called "Soy Flavor" used to be "Oriental")
Uncle Ben's Long Grain & Wild Rice
Rice-A-Roni Creamy Four Cheese
Betty Crocker Au Gratin Potatoes

Honestly, I rarely eat at home. I don't eat breakfast at all and of the remaining 14 meals a week I probably eat 10 at restaurants and completely space off the other 4 (how many times have I looked at the clock, noted it was 11PM, then realized I never ate dinner). lol However, when I am eating at home and feeling lazy those are my most common go-to items.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 6:26 pm

ChadJK wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:52 pm This reminds me of an episode of King of Queens where Doug's cousin Danny is eating some pizza rolls and remarks something along the lines of, "Doug, these pizza rolls are incredible! What's your secret?" and Doug replies "Soak them in bacon grease." lol

Well, if you’re talking pizza rolls, a frozen food item I might eat once or twice a year, Totino’s is the way to go…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 6:43 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:06 pm What's surprising to me is Great Value comes in pretty clutch... All of their trail mixes are good (I really love the peanut butter one)... I always have their peanut butter and chocolate protein bars on tap... They seem to be the only brand I can find unsalted canned beans... They make a frozen cheeseburger that's ready in like a minute, and it's like, alllllright, it kinda tastes like BK, and I use it as a base and put on different toppings to make different variations, mind you I don't do it often, but it is a good thing to keep in the freezer... Their frozen fries are just fine... Frozen fruit and vegetables, they might as well be the only brand I buy... Their cheese is just fine... I like their honey roasted peanuts.

I'm just thinkin' of stuff. I haven't been to Walmart in a while, I think I need to walk the aisles here soon.

Their copycat Chick-fil-a sauce is amazing.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 7:07 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 6:26 pm
ChadJK wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:52 pm This reminds me of an episode of King of Queens where Doug's cousin Danny is eating some pizza rolls and remarks something along the lines of, "Doug, these pizza rolls are incredible! What's your secret?" and Doug replies "Soak them in bacon grease." lol
Well, if you’re talking pizza rolls, a frozen food item I might eat once or twice a year, Totino’s is the way to go…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I think they're the only way to go. I'm sure there are some knock offs, but I've only ever gotten Totino's. And yeah, takes me about six months to eat a 40 piece package.

Side question, what flavor? I almost always buy a package of supreme.

They've also made some spinoffs, doesn't look like they make them anymore: https://www.totinos.com/product-category/pizza-rolls/ But they made "Ranch Blasted" and Nacho Cheese Blasted" pizza rolls that were pretty good. Basically pizza rolls dusted in Doritos seasoning. I got them once or twice.

One that gets a big no from me is their cheeseburger roll.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 7:14 pm

On a different note, I freakin love Xxtra Flamin Hot Cheetos. I been looking for them the last few grocery store visits and have come up empty. Is there a national Cheetos shortage or something haha? I hope they never phase those out.

Let's discuss favorite Cheetos flavors... By far mine is Xxtra Flamin Hot, followed by Flamin Hot & Lime, then regular Flamin Hot. I'm actually not a fan at all of the regular, or jalapeno flavors. I wish they made an Xxtra Flamin Hot & Lime Cheeto.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 7:57 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Jan 23, 2022 11:09 pm You can buy White Castle sliders, package of 6, at HyVee for $5.99…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Okay, when I go to Hy-Vee tonight, I will try to find em. I'll do a side by side with the GV I bought already.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 8:03 pm

Another one is Lay's potato chips. I actually prefer the baked version of all their chips to the traditional fried versions. My favorites are baked BBQ and Baked Sour Cream & Cheddar Ruffles. Of course, the Kettle cooked versions are the best. BBQ, and Salt & Vinegar are the ways to go for me... And, does anybody else like their dill pickle chips? I actually quite enjoy them.

Any other flavors out there, past and present that are preferred by ya folks?

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 8:22 pm

ChadJK wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:52 pm Honestly, I rarely eat at home. I don't eat breakfast at all and of the remaining 14 meals a week I probably eat 10 at restaurants and completely space off the other 4 (how many times have I looked at the clock, noted it was 11PM, then realized I never ate dinner). lol However, when I am eating at home and feeling lazy those are my most common go-to items.

I'm very much the opposite. I always eat "breakfast" within an hour of waking up. It always consists of at least my coffee protein drink (instant coffee, stevia, cocoa powder, and a scoop of Optimum Nutrition Natural Whey), a Gogurt (cause I'm always on the go, and I'm 5 at heart), and a blue Yakult. Sometimes a GV protein granola bar, a Belvita or an Extra sharp Cheddar cheese stick, which are the best cheese stick, and maybe a Halo or two...

There's another one, Halos or Cuties? I find there to be a big difference between Halos and Cuties. I am distinctly a Halo guy. And even among Halos, some are big and sweet and dry, while others are smaller, juicier, and way more tart and more flavor. Its kind of part of the fun/challenge/ disappointment to try and find the good ones. They must actually be different species of trees from different farms.

Aside from breakfast, I'd have to say I almost literally never eat at a sit-down restaurant. I'll get fast food a couple-few times a week, but aside from that, I'm packing a lunch, or eating a frozen meal. Then when I get home, Ill eat halfway decently. Its funny how I work, I almost never ever eat an actual full meal, but I'll eat different components that would make up a meal spread throughout the day.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:32 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 7:07 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 6:26 pm
ChadJK wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:52 pm This reminds me of an episode of King of Queens where Doug's cousin Danny is eating some pizza rolls and remarks something along the lines of, "Doug, these pizza rolls are incredible! What's your secret?" and Doug replies "Soak them in bacon grease." lol
Well, if you’re talking pizza rolls, a frozen food item I might eat once or twice a year, Totino’s is the way to go…

Ciao..LiO…Peace
I think they're the only way to go. I'm sure there are some knock offs, but I've only ever gotten Totino's. And yeah, takes me about six months to eat a 40 piece package.

Side question, what flavor? I almost always buy a package of supreme.

That’s a good question. Like you, I usually buy the Supreme, or sometimes the Pepperoni. Those are the 2 best for me..

I’ve tried some of their Knock off flavors, and they’re almost always never as good as they sound, lol…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:37 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 7:57 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Jan 23, 2022 11:09 pm You can buy White Castle sliders, package of 6, at HyVee for $5.99…

Ciao..LiO…Peace
Okay, when I go to Hy-Vee tonight, I will try to find em. I'll do a side by side with the GV I bought already.

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a 6 pack of their jalapeño cheese cheeseburger sliders and they were pretty good..

White Castle is a pretty solid frozen slider. Easy to make, just wrap 2 in a paper towel and microwave for a minute..and that’s it. For me, the easier to make, the better lol. Let me know the outcome of your taste test…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 10:28 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:37 pm White Castle is a pretty solid frozen slider. Easy to make, just wrap 2 in a paper towel and microwave for a minute..and that’s it. For me, the easier to make, the better lol. Let me know the outcome of your taste test…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I'll let ya know... The GV version only requires you to open one end of the plastic bag. And to preface, I've never been much of a fan of White Castle, so I believe I will probably be unimpressed with either, but I am intrigued, and will do a side by side. I just got a package of em at the 108th & Fort Hy-Vee.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Jan 24, 2022 11:11 pm

Okay, so just did the side by side... GV vs White Castle.

First, I have to say the White Castle sliders look better out of the microwave. Second, the meat is bigger (LOL) than the GV. But one big difference is the GV has cheese, and the White Castle doesn't... Maybe that was a mistake by me, if they make a cheese version for $5.99, maybe this review is nil. But the GV version has cheese and as I recall was about $6... I heated each for one minute, the White Castle in a paper towel, and the GV in the package with the end open. Right off the bat, the White Castles looked much more appetizing. As far as flavor goes, the GV bread was much sweeter than the White Castle, so White Castle gets a point for that, as I'm not a fan of sweet bread. The White Castle bread turned out much tougher than the GV, though, so GV on that. GV gets a point for cheese. White Castle had more onions, so +1. And that's about all I got. All things considered, I think its a wash. Would not buy either again. And now I've got about 6 or 8 more of these still in the freezer haha.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 12:09 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 11:11 pm Okay, so just did the side by side... GV vs White Castle.

First, I have to say the White Castle sliders look better out of the microwave. Second, the meat is bigger (LOL) than the GV. But one big difference is the GV has cheese, and the White Castle doesn't... Maybe that was a mistake by me, if they make a cheese version for $5.99, maybe this review is nil. But the GV version has cheese and as I recall was about $6... I heated each for one minute, the White Castle in a paper towel, and the GV in the package with the end open. Right off the bat, the White Castles looked much more appetizing. As far as flavor goes, the GV bread was much sweeter than the White Castle, so White Castle gets a point for that, as I'm not a fan of sweet bread. The White Castle bread turned out much tougher than the GV, though, so GV on that. GV gets a point for cheese. White Castle had more onions, so +1. And that's about all I got. All things considered, I think its a wash. Would not buy either again. And now I've got about 6 or 8 more of these still in the freezer haha.

Nice side by side and thanks for the input. I think these sliders, like pizza rolls, are a good, quick meal option when there is nothing else readily available. These sliders are something I only buy a handful of times over the course of 1 year…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 12:42 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Tue Jan 25, 2022 12:09 pm Nice side by side and thanks for the input. I think these sliders, like pizza rolls, are a good, quick meal option when there is nothing else readily available. These sliders are something I only buy a handful of times over the course of 1 year…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I'll eat the ones I've got, but have to say eh... I'll take pizza rolls. But one of my favorite once in a while in a pinch options is the GV bacon cheeseburger. I always have a package of them in the freezer. They're cheap, quick, calorific, and versatile with a little creativity.

One I miss is the GV BBQ rib sandwich. Basically a McRib in freezer form. Ready in 70 seconds and actually pretty good. Cant say I think they make it anymore.

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 2:28 pm

I had my fair share of frozen pizza working at a grocery store 20 years ago, so I don't eat the stuff very often anymore. Same goes for grocery store fried chicken. Although, once in a blue moon, I'll get a box of those Red Barron French bread pizza things. They're pretty decent.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Tue Jan 25, 2022 3:19 pm

jessep28 wrote: Tue Jan 25, 2022 2:28 pm Same goes for grocery store fried chicken.

Good thing you brought that up... I actually enjoyed No Frills's fried chicken, and their beans. I've had Family Fare a few times since No Frills went out, don't know for sure if its the same stuff, but its pretty well just as good if not better than KFC.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Tue Feb 15, 2022 1:42 am

Oooooooh, thinking of pineapple pizza, if Totinos made a pizza roll in Hawaiian style, I'd totally try it. It would have to be better than their cheeseburger roll.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:59 am

I hope this sparks some conversation. So, the healthy choice steamers have been some of my go to frozen dinners, particularly the steak and potatoes one. I always got it the most of them all because it has the most calories, so better bang for the buck. It never did have a TON of sodium (I want to say it was 600-something mg), but I looked at the nutrition facts yesterday, and the sodium has gone down to 450! Looked at the ingredients, and potassium chloride is higher on the list than anything sodium. So this means they're using potassium chloride to season it instead of salt. This is a fantastic development for people who watch their sodium intake, and for everyone, really. Normal people are to limit daily sodium intake to 2,300 mg, while people with touchy blood pressure are to limit sodium to 1,500 mg. With a 2,000 calorie or more diet, it's freakin impossible to achieve unless you ONLY eat fruits and vegetables. Bleck. With the addition of potassium chloride, you also get much more of your daily potassium. At 1,220 mg of potassium, this meal is right in the sweet spot for potassium-sodium balance, which is supposed to be 3:1.

Now I'm sure this is something they've done across the board with healthy choice meals. But there's no reason all frozen foods can't do the same. Frozen pizza, hungry man, frozen snacks. I mean them all. They'd all be doing us a favor if they switch from salt to potassium chloride. I really hope they all catch on because I have a few guilty pleasures in the frozen garbage department that I'd benefit greatly from if the sodium were significantly reduced, which it should be. Sodium levels in frozen foods have always been egregiously high for no need other than flavor, and sometimes the higher sodium meals don't even taste that salty. I am very happy about this development.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Fri Mar 08, 2024 11:05 am

Here's the nutrition facts. Yes, still frozen mealy by default, but you never see the sodium that low. You'll see in other brands that aren't trying, the sodium level in a meal with comparable calorie content, the sodium will be in the 800 - 1,000 mg range.

ChadJK · Post by **ChadJK** » Fri Mar 08, 2024 11:33 am

Busguy2010 wrote: Tue Feb 15, 2022 1:42 am Oooooooh, thinking of pineapple pizza, if Totinos made a pizza roll in Hawaiian style, I'd totally try it. It would have to be better than their cheeseburger roll.

I have bought frozen cheese pizzas (or picked up take-n-bake cheese pizzas) and then added my own toppings at home. It's a great way to make quick custom pizzas at home.

Busguy2010 wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:59 am This is a fantastic development for people who watch their sodium intake

Having they recently been sort of backpedaling on the whole "sodium is the devil" idea?

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Fri Mar 08, 2024 11:58 am

ChadJK wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 11:33 am
Busguy2010 wrote: Tue Feb 15, 2022 1:42 am Oooooooh, thinking of pineapple pizza, if Totinos made a pizza roll in Hawaiian style, I'd totally try it. It would have to be better than their cheeseburger roll.
I have bought frozen cheese pizzas (or picked up take-n-bake cheese pizzas) and then added my own toppings at home. It's a great way to make quick custom pizzas at home.

Busguy2010 wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:59 am This is a fantastic development for people who watch their sodium intake
Having they recently been sort of backpedaling on the whole "sodium is the devil" idea?

Not that I've known of. Too much sodium has always been bad for blood pressure. That's always been a cardinal rule in nutrition. I did a quick search trying to find an article that claimed sodium wasn't bad for blood pressure. All it really did was put a spin on the facts by saying "Salt isn't bad for you because it's only 40% sodium". It's still not good because just 1/4 tsp of salt has about 500mg of sodium.

Well anyway, for stuff like frozen meals, I've been adding potassium chloride to, because despite there being so much sodium, they still don't taste all that salty. So instead of making it worse, make it better as potassium counters the effects of sodium. They are yin-yang, while adding a salty flavor.

And yeah. I'm still waiting for Totinos to come up with a Hawaiian pizza roll. I would keep them in business by myself lol. I also always doctor up a frozen pizza. There's never enough garlic, sauce, or pepperoni.

ChadJK · Post by **ChadJK** » Fri Mar 08, 2024 12:08 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 11:58 am Not that I've known of. Too much sodium has always been bad for blood pressure. That's always been a cardinal rule in nutrition.

Here's a couple of things I've found on the topic of salt and blood pressure. Like most things, opinions vary...

https://www.scientificamerican.com/arti ... r-on-salt/
https://time.com/3313332/salt-and-blood-pressure/

Busguy2010 wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 11:58 am And yeah. I'm still waiting for Totinos to come up with a Hawaiian pizza roll. I would keep them in business by myself lol. I also always doctor up a frozen pizza. There's never enough garlic, sauce, or pepperoni.

I usually give my frozen pizzas a dusting of dried oregano, grate some parmesan or romano on top, and sprinkle on some red pepper flakes before putting it in the oven. I then mix up a simple pizza sauce for dipping (tomato sauce, salt, basil, oregano, garlic, and a touch of sugar). I'm a sauce fanatic and nothing ever has enough sauce for me. It drives my wife crazy as she is quite the opposite.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Fri Mar 08, 2024 12:59 pm

ChadJK wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 12:08 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 11:58 am Not that I've known of. Too much sodium has always been bad for blood pressure. That's always been a cardinal rule in nutrition.
Here's a couple of things I've found on the topic of salt and blood pressure. Like most things, opinions vary...
https://www.scientificamerican.com/arti ... r-on-salt/
https://time.com/3313332/salt-and-blood-pressure/

Busguy2010 wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 11:58 am And yeah. I'm still waiting for Totinos to come up with a Hawaiian pizza roll. I would keep them in business by myself lol. I also always doctor up a frozen pizza. There's never enough garlic, sauce, or pepperoni.
I usually give my frozen pizzas a dusting of dried oregano, grate some parmesan or romano on top, and sprinkle on some red pepper flakes before putting it in the oven. I then mix up a simple pizza sauce for dipping (tomato sauce, salt, basil, oregano, garlic, and a touch of sugar). I'm a sauce fanatic and nothing ever has enough sauce for me. It drives my wife crazy as she is quite the opposite.

I'll just say this, where there's a study, it can be rigged to give you the results you want. Those articles both cite the same study of French adults. You can already say there's a fault there because France is generally regarded to take better care of their diet and health overall, so it'd already be biased from the start. And then there's the use of the word salt, when the sodium is the target.

One more thing I could buy: maybe sodium itself isn't a problem, but rather the ratio of potassium to sodium in our diets. In the SAD diet there easily could be a 1:1 ratio or even a ratio of sodium higher than potassium. We need 3x as much potassium as sodium. So citing the number in the above article of 3,400mg of sodium per average American adult, to put that into perspective, you'd have to eat 24 bananas per day, or 16 plain baked potatoes

each day. I know the SAD diet does provide some potassium so those might be a little over the top, but you get the point. We're that far off from where we need to be, so wherever we can substitute potassium for sodium that's a good thing. So I'm very happy to see at least one food company putting forth that effort. If we can improve that across the board in all processed products, we'd be in a much better boat as a population.