Finding the best Lean Cuisines for Weight Watchers can help when you need a quick meal. There are so many options in the freezer section, but not everything is as healthy as it appears. This list will help you narrow these Lean Cuisine meals down.
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SHOULD I EAT FROZEN MEALS ON WW?
I think we all know that eating frozen meals is not as healthy as eating fresh whole foods. But we live in the real world and it is face-paced. Life can be hard on busy days and sometimes, we just need to be able to grab something fast at the grocery store.
Remember that eating Lean Cuisine products is a much better option than going through a fast food drive-through window on your lunch break. Here are some things to consider.
- One of the biggest issues with frozen meals is the sodium content can be very high. If you need to watch your sodium intake be sure to read the nutrition facts labels carefully. Knowing how many milligrams of sodium are in each meal will help you plan your day. So if you have high blood pressure or heart disease be sure to watch how much salt you are getting each day. It adds up quickly.
- The good news is that many frozen dinners will fall within the parameters of your diet and eating style. There have been many improvements to these frozen meals over the years. They use more veggies and have more protein which is a positive.
- One other issue to consider is that frozen meals will NOT take into account any zero point foods. The only way to calculate points is to enter the nutritional data into the food calculator. That is one reason these meals are higher in points then if you made a homemade meal and entered the recipe into the recipe calculator.
My only complaint is that these meals typically don't leave me feeling satisfied on their own. I am always still hungry. To remedy that I will add some foods that have zero points to the meal.
REASONS WHY FROZEN MEALS ARE A GOOD OPTION FOR WW
There are some drawbacks to eating packaged foods. But there are also reasons it is good to have a few Lean Cuisine boxes on hand. I think frozen meals can have a place as part of a healthy weight-loss plan.
- Prepackaged frozen meals offer portion control. This can be huge for overeaters.
- These are typically lower-calorie meals. Weight Watchers ultimately depends on a reduction in calories for weight loss.
- Most frozen meals are complete meals. You don't have to prepare extra food. It always helps to add some fresh fruit to the meal, though.
- Vegetarian options are available for those on a specialized Weight Watchers eating plan.
- Most frozen meals are a serving size of one. These work so well for people who live alone and don't want to cook a complete meal themselves.
- Sometimes we crave comfort foods. Some of these meals are comfort foods with fewer calories than the homemade version.
BEST LEAN CUISINES FOR WEIGHT WATCHERS
The Nestle company owns the Lean Cuisine brand. It has been around since 1981. It was originally the “healthy” sub-brand for Stouffer's frozen meals. In 2022 they began offering Life Cuisines that are higher in lean proteins. I will give you info about both Lean Cuisine meals and Life Cuisine meals.
If you are wondering what the best Lean Cuisines for Weight Watchers are….it will be easy to know after reading this article! Keep reading for a complete list and a printable list you can take with you!
This will be broken down into all the different categories they have. Remember, not every store will offer all of these varieties. You may have to shop around to find your favorites. I am not sure if Lean Cuisine brand meals are offered outside of the United States.
Overall, Lean Cuisine offers fairly low-calorie meals, but they are necessarily a good thing for Weight Watchers members. Very few of the meals are 8 points or less. The sodium content is very high on many of the meals. But there are a handful of good options and as always…it is up to each person to decide what works for them!!
HEART-HEALTHY LEAN CUISINE MEALS
Lean Cuisine has meals that are approved and certified by the American Heart Association. These meals all have 30% or less calories from fat, less than 10% saturated fat, 120mg or less of cholesterol per meal, 600mg or less sodium per serving, and some naturally occurring nutrients.
Here are the varieties available and the corresponding WW points (2023).
- American Heart Association Certified Apple Cranberry Chicken is 10 points for the meal.
- American Heart Association Certified Butternut Squash Ravioli is 9 points for the meal.
- American Heart Association Certified Garlic Sesame Noodles with Beef is 8 points for the meal.
- American Heart Association Certified Herb Roasted Chicken is 4 points for the meal.
I think the winner for this category is the Herb Roasted Chicken in terms of points. There is very little added sugar in this meal, and it has a creamy sauce too!
CARB-CONSCIOUS & HIGH PROTEIN LEAN CUISINE MEALS
If you love pasta, but don't love all the points associated with pasta, then Cauli' Bowls may be a good choice for you. They are made with cauliflower pasta. There are more grams of fiber in these meals because of the added veggies in the pasta.
There are Protein Kick Lean Cuisine meals with added protein. They also have regular Lean Cuisine meals with fewer carbs or higher protein amounts.
Here are the more low carb Lean Cuisine varieties and the Weight Watchers points (2023).
- Lean Cuisine Cauli' Bowls Fettucini with Meat Sauce is 6 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Cauli' Bowls Garlic Parmesan Alfredo with Broccoli is 6 points for the meal.
- Protein Kick Lean Cuisine Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes is 7 points for the meal.
- Protein Kick Lean Cuisine Glazed Turkey Tenderloins is 10 points for the meal.
- Protein Kick Lean Cuisine Grilled Chicken Caesar is 7 points for the meal.
- Protein Kick Lean Cuisine Four Cheese Pizza is 11 points for the meal. This one is high because although there are 20 grams of protein, there are more carbs and more calories.
- Protein Kick Lean Cuisine Chicken Parmesan is 11 points for the meal. (You can make homemade chicken parmesan in the air fryer for only 3 points!)
- Protein Kick Lean Cuisine Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is 9 points for the meal.
- Protein Kick Lean Cuisine Pepperoni Pizza is 11 points for the meal. This is high in calories and carbs…but also has 21 grams of protein.
MEATLESS LEAN CUISINE MEALS
If you need meatless meals, then Lean Cuisine has some options. As of the day I wrote this there were 11 different meatless meals available. These would be great a great option for vegetarians and also people who do meatless Mondays!
- American Heart Association Certified Butternut Squash Ravioli is 9 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Comfort Foods Cheese Ravioli is 9 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Deep Dish Spinach and Mushroom Pizza is 11 points for the meal. Are you seeing a high points trend for the Lean Cuisine pizza? 🙂
- Lean Cuisine Fettuccine Alfredo is 9 points per meal.
- Lean Cuisine Five Cheese Rigatoni is 11 points per meal.
- Protein Kick Lean Cuisine Four Cheese Pizza is 11 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Macaroni and Cheese is 9 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Ricotta Cheese and Spinach Ravioli is 8 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Santa Fe Style Rice and Beans is 9 points for the meal. This is one of my favorites…I love the sour cream sauce!
- Lean Cuisine Spinach Artichoke Ravioli is 8 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine White Vermont Cheddar Mac & Cheese is 9 points for the meal.
GLUTEN-FREE LEAN CUISINE MEALS
Many people follow a gluten-free eating plan these days. Lean Cuisine currently has 7 options that are gluten-free. Hopefully they will expand this category soon.
- American Heart Association Certified Herb Roasted Chicken is 4 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Buffalo Style Chicken is 6 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Chicken in Sweet Barbeque Sauce is 8 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Bowls Roasted Turkey & Vegetables is 6 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Sticky Ginger Chicken is 11 points for the meal. This one has a lot of added sugar.
- Lean Cuisine Sweet & Spicy Korean Style beef is 13 points for the meal! Wow…this is high in calories and sugar. 🙁
- Lean Cuisine Bowls Unwrapped Chicken Burrito is 10 points for the meal.
LEAN CUISINE BOWLS
I love a one-dish meal. Lean Cuisine has a variety of bowls.
- Lean Cuisine Bowls Chicken Teriyaki is 9 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Bowls Glazed Chicken is 9 points for the meal. This has some whole grains due to the brown rice in the bowl.
- Lean Cuisine Bowls Orange Chicken is 11 points for the meal. This meal is high in sodium and added sugar.
- Lean Cuisine Bowls Oven Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes is 9 points for the meal. I am reminded of KFC's bowls….the regular sized bowl at KFC is 21 points. The snack size Famous Bowl is 8 points.
- Lean Cuisine Bowls Roasted Turkey & Vegetables is 6 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Bowls Savory Sesame Chicken and Vegetables is 11 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Bowls Shrimp Alfredo is 8 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Sticky Ginger Chicken is 11 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Bowls Sweet & Sour Chicken is 14 points for the meal. This meal has only 6 grams of fat, but has 920 mg of sodium and 20 grams of sugar.
- Lean Cuisine Bowls Unwrapped Chicken Burrito is 10 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Bowls Chicken Pad Thai is 12 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Bowls Oven Fried Chicken with Buffalo Style Mac & Cheese is 10 points for the meal.
LEAN CUISINE MEALS
Here are more Lean Cuisine meals that haven't been mentioned in any of the categories above.
- Lean Cuisine Chicken Club Panini is 11 points for the meal. I like the taste of this one…but not the high points value.
- Lean Cuisine Alfredo Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli is 7 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Baked Chicken is 8 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Chicken Fried Rice is 9 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Chicken Enchilada Suiza is 9 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Classic Macaroni & Beef is 8 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine French Bread Pepperoni Pizza is 9 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Lasagne with Meat Sauce is 9 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Maple Bourbon Chicken is 12 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Roasted Turkey Breast is 12 points for the meal. This one is deceiving because you would think it is a good diet meal but has a lot of added sugar.
- Lean Cuisine Salisbury Steak with Macaroni and Cheese is 6 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Sesame Chicken is 12 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Shrimp Scampi is 11 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Spaghetti with Meatballs is 8 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Steak Portabella is 5 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Supreme Pizza is 10 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Swedish Meatballs is 9 points for the meal.
- Lean Cuisine Tortilla Crusted Fish is 9 points for the meal.
LIFE CUISINE MEALS
I mentioned earlier that Lean Cuisine has branched off and now has a line called Life Cuisine. These frozen meals are high in protein, have some fiber and essential nutrients. The philosophy is to make delicious food that feeds your best life. Let's see if Life Cuisine meals are good for Weight Watchers members.
- Life Cuisine Southwest Style Beef Taco Bowl is 12 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Cauliflower Crust Three Cheese Pizza is 12 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Broccoli Bowl is 13 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Chicken Enchilada Bowl is 9 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Cauliflower Crust Pepperoni Pizza is 13 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Tomato & Spinach Egg White Bites is 7 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Uncured Turkey Bacon & Aged White Cheddar Egg Bites are 11 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Buffalo Cauliflower Bites is 4 points for the meal. This one is plant based.
- Life Cuisine Meatlovers Zoodles Bowl is 11 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Cauliflower Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch Piada is 10 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Cauliflower Crust Chicken Mozzarella Piada is 11 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Cauliflower Crust Three Meat Pizza is 13 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Pasta Bolognese Bowl is 15 points for the meal. This is very high in calories and fat.
- Life Cuisine Riced Cauliflower Beef with Broccoli Bowl is 5 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Riced Cauliflower Teriyaki Chicken Bowl is 8 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Ultimate Berry Smoothie Bowl is 8 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl is 5 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Cheese Lovers Pizza is 11 points for the meal.
- Life Cuisine Pesto Cauliflower Gnocchi Bowl is 11 points for the meal. This one has over 1000mg of sodium!!
LEAN CUISINE MYREWARDS PROGRAM
Lean Cuisine offers a rewards program called myRewards. It rewards people who love Lean Cuisine. All you do is upload your grocery receipts that show proof of Lean Cuisine purchases.
You will accumulate points for your purchases. Then you use those points for rewards. The rewards available right now are coupons to save money on products and e-gift cards.
ARE LEAN CUISINE THE BEST WEIGHT WATCHERS MEAL OPTION?
Now that you have looked over the list of meal options and their points value…it is up to you to decide if eating Lean Cuisine frozen meals will work for you. I have taken all the work out of this by figuring every single meal myself using the nutrition calculator on the WW site.
Here is a handy printable showing you the best Lean Cuisines for Weight Watchers that you can keep in your purse or wallet to use at the store.
Which Lean Cuisine meal is your favorite? How often do you eat Lean Cuisines?
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I don’t belong to WW anymore (got tired of the constant points changing even though I understand the reasons for it) – Healthy Request frozen Chicken & Vegetable Stir Fry was a very low point choice and I would add cauliflower rice to the dish to bulk it up, there was enough sauce to cover all. It is very tasty, I still occasionally eat it. Still better than going for fast food for sure.