Adventures in Lazy Vegetarianism: Exploring the Frozen Foods Aisle
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
0 CommentsLick's Nature Shepherd's Pie 4.99
| Calories | 310 | ||
| Fat | 11 g | ||
| Saturated Fat | 3.5 g | ||
| Trans Fat | 1g | ||
| Cholesterol | 5mg | ||
| Sodium | 840 mg | ||
| Carbs | 45g | ||
| Fibre | 5g | ||
| Sugars | 9g | ||
| Protein | 9g | ||
| Vitamin A | 25% | ||
| Vitamin C | 8% | ||
| Calcium | 8% | ||
| Iron | 20% |
Lick's Nature Shepherd's Pie is made with non-gmo soy protein; it also won the "Best Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie Award." My friend Jane and I scarfed it down. Jane said it smelled pretty good as it was warming up, and that she liked it. But when I asked her if she would buy it again, she waffled, saying "I just don't buy frozen prepared foods... they scare me for some reason." As for me, I thought it was really yummy and satisfying with a good range of textures - tvp on the bottom with corn, and mashed potatoes on top. Shepherd's Pie is supposed to be a pretty hearty meal, and this one fits the bill. It does, however, contain 1g of the dreaded trans fat. And a lot of salt...
Guitless Gourmet Black Bean Chipotle Wrap 1.79
| Calories | 270 | ||
| Fat | 3 g | ||
| Saturated Fat | 0.5g | ||
| Trans Fat | 0g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0mg | ||
| Sodium | 570 mg | ||
| Carbs | 51g | ||
| Fibre | 7g | ||
| Sugars | 6g | ||
| Protein | 9g | ||
| Vitamin A | 0% | ||
| Vitamin C | 0% | ||
| Calcium | 10% | ||
| Iron | 10% |
As I pushed the Black Bean Chipotle Wrap under Jane's nose, she backed away, saying "it smells a bit like stale peppers." Things didn't get any better after that. The wrap was really gooey, and Jane thought it tasted "like a bandaid - basically flavourless except for a wierd plastically aftertaste." Although we smothered it in ketchup and salsa and ate it because we were hungry, it would never be satisfying as a full meal even if it was edible.
Amy's Veggie Loaf - with Corn and Mashed Potatoes 5.49
| Calories | 280 | ||
| Fat | 7 g | ||
| Saturated Fat | 1g | ||
| Trans Fat | 0g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0mg | ||
| Sodium | 690 mg | ||
| Carbs | 47g | ||
| Fibre | 7g | ||
| Sugars | 6g | ||
| Protein | 8g | ||
| Vitamin A | 15% | ||
| Vitamin C | 50% | ||
| Calcium | 4% | ||
| Iron | 20% |
Amy's Veggie Loaf smells good and looks like what a frozen entrée should look like. I asked my partner Beauchamp to share the veggie loaf with me. As he's a meat-eater, I thought I'd get him to wager in. The first thing he found a little strange was the texture - thick and mushy and slightly grainy. I thought that the mashed potatoes were really good for a frozen entrée; he thought that they were "alright." I thought that it could stand in as a full meal, but Beauchamp said he'd need to eat 2 of them to feel satisfied. We both said we'd buy it again, but agreed we could make something similar and a lot better at home.
Guitless Gourmet Mediterranean Spinach Wrap 1.79
| Calories | 270 | ||
| Fat | 5 g | ||
| Saturated Fat | 1g | ||
| Trans Fat | 0g | ||
| Cholesterol | 5mg | ||
| Sodium | 270 mg | ||
| Carbs | 45g | ||
| Fibre | 4g | ||
| Sugars | 4g | ||
| Protein | 10g | ||
| Vitamin A | 70% | ||
| Vitamin C | 0% | ||
| Calcium | 15% | ||
| Iron | 10% |
The Guiltless Gourmet wraps are probably the least unhealthy option, with lower fat, lower sodium, and lower cholesterol than the other meals. Beauchamp and I discovered why: they are painfully bland with very little filling. I thought that it smelled tomatoey coming out of the microwave and Beauchamp disagreed. Halfway into the wrap, we found one lone tomato, and I felt like the contemporary equivalent of the Princess and the Pea. Neither of us would buy it again - although it was almost edible when I used it to sop up the extra veggie gravy left over from Amy's Veggie Loaf.
Amy's Vegetable Lasagna, Made with Organic Pasta and Vegetables $5.69
| Calories | 310 | ||
| Fat | 12 g | ||
| Saturated Fat | 4.5 g | ||
| Trans Fat | 0g | ||
| Cholesterol | 20mg | ||
| Sodium | 680 mg | ||
| Carbs | 35g | ||
| Fibre | 5g | ||
| Sugars | 5g | ||
| Protein | 16g | ||
| Vitamin A | 40% | ||
| Vitamin C | 15% | ||
| Calcium | 25% | ||
| Iron | 15% |
Amy's Vegetable Lasagna smells absolutely delicious as it's spinning around behind the little glass door in your microwave. A mixture of cheese, tomato sauce, pasta, and spinach, it has a hearty and satisfying texture. Lasagna might be one of the easiest meals to transform into a frozen entrée, but that doesn't mean Amy's loses any points. The spinach ricotta mix is right on, and the entrée could definitely serve as a full meal.
Ian's Pizza - Kid's Meal with corn, strawberry applesauce and a chocolate brownie 3.99
| Calories | 340 | ||
| Fat | 7 g | ||
| Saturated Fat | 2.5 g | ||
| Trans Fat | 0g | ||
| Cholesterol | 25mg | ||
| Sodium | 290 mg | ||
| Carbs | 60g | ||
| Fibre | 4g | ||
| Sugars | 23g | ||
| Protein | 9g | ||
| Vitamin A | 2% | ||
| Vitamin C | 8% | ||
| Calcium | 4% | ||
| Iron | 10% |
Ian's Pizza offers a good variety of foods, that thankfully all taste like food. Except maybe the strawberry applesauce, which tasted kind of chemically. I have to admit, I bought this one for the promise of a brownie - and it delivered. The pizza was good, and the corn was passable. It was surprisingly filling for a kids meal. Also, not surprisingly, packed with sugar....
The Verdict?
The winner is Amy's Vegetable Lasagna!!! Unfortunately the most expensive item on the list, the lasagna was the clear winner in all other categories.
The losing spot is not at all a difficult decision. It's shared between Guiltless Gluey Wraps 1 and 2. (Also, unfortunately, the least expensive items on the list).
All three of us - Jane, Beauchamp, and myself - thought we'd be way better off crafting our own meals. I had to force myself to eat this carby, heavy food all week, and I'm now craving kale and green apples. And I'm the type of person who will happily eat cold pizza or leftover truffle cake for breakfast.
Do you have a favourite frozen vegetarian entrée?
Share yours in the comment section below.
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