Frozen foods help in portioning, study finds

ConAgra Foods, Inc., one of North America's leading food makers, presented research findings this week suggesting that portion-controlled frozen meals eaten as part of a reduced-calorie eating plan helped participants learn proper portions. A main contributor to calorie overconsumption is portion distortion.

ConAgra Foods, the maker of Healthy Choices frozen meals, revealed its research at the American Dietetic Association's Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo held in San Diego. As part of the study, 32 participants between the ages of 25-65 replaced at least 10 meals per week (seven lunches and at least three dinners) with a portion-controlled frozen meal from Healthy Choice. Participants accompanied the meals with two or three food items, such as salad, skim milk and fruit, and were encouraged to increase lifestyle activity and walk up to 150 minutes per week. Participants lost an average of six pounds and saw their waistlines reduced by about an inch.

"People in our study found it easy to replace the 10 meals per week with a Healthy Choice meal, and the results were really strong - weight loss, body fat loss and reduced waist circumference," Reimers said. "Dietary Guidelines for Americans state that a key strategy for weight loss is proper portions. Portion controlled Healthy Choice meals offers individuals a way to help achieve that recommendation."

Survey authors were Reimers, Sabrina Pardo, Diane Kawiecki and James Rippe.ConAgra Foods has an ongoing commitment to health and wellness and sponsors numerous research studies throughout the year to convey the health benefits of a variety of foods to dietitians and consumers.