Think Kids Meals are just for kids? Think again… 28-year old FreshDirect customer Kim Gorode, used FreshDirect Kids Meals (and our other 4-Minute Meals) plus healthy snacks and exercise to shed 40 lbs – going from a size 14 to a size 4 in less than a year.
“Last December I had physical and my cholesterol was really high,” explained Gorode. “My doctor suggested a weight loss program in the office with pre-made meals delivered to my home. I thought about it but if idea was portion control and eating healthy I thought I could probably do that for a whole lot cheaper with FreshDirect.”
Gorode, a resident of Brooklyn, started her mornings off with 0% Fage Greek Yogurt. By lunch time, she’d pop a 4-Minute Meal or a Kids Meals in her office microwave. For afternoon snacks, she would enjoy a fruit of choice and a 100-calorie snack pack. Come dinnertime, she’d repeat it, and sometimes swap out the meal portion for a Frozen Entrees instead. She’s supplement hunger pangs with lots of water, sometimes a pre-made salad or half a portion of steamed veggies.
Gorode would watch her daily caloric intake and also carved out an hour a day before work to hit the gym and walk on the treadmill. Eight months later, she’d reached her goal weight.
She says this weight loss wasn’t just a food change, it was a lifestyle change. “At first I would walk on the treadmill, but have built that up to a run over the past few months. I have even run in some street races. A few weeks ago I ran in the New York Road Runners Jingle Bell Jog in Prospect Park.”
And now that she knows how to better control her portions Gorode sometimes ‘upgrades’ to Ready to Cook meals. “Once I was comfortable eating better, I decided to incorporate more non-microwaved food into my diet,” she says.
A typical menu for Gorode these days includes Fage Greek yogurt for breakfast; a homemade sandwich on wheat bread, lean deli meat (usually turkey, chicken or lean roast beef), fruit and a 100-calorie pack for dessert; and a Ready to Cook food, like coconut curry chicken, coconut Sides in a Snap rice, steamed peas, an apple, and a 100-calorie pack snack for dessert.
“I do eat 4-Minute Meals especially on long days when I know I am going to want to veg out and not cook. I like the frozen meals, as well for that reason. I can keep a bunch in my freezer just in case,” explains Gorode.
Though our nutritionist Maggie Moon, MS, RD cautions against fad dieting, she advocates healthy lifestyle changes and eating nutritionally-balanced meals: “I’m proud we offer a wide selection of healthy foods, from freshly-made meals that are nutritionist-approved and chef-developed to gorgeous crave-worthy vegetables and succulent sustainable seafood. We also have solutions for whole grain sides, plus snacks and staples that keep our customers’ good health in mind.”
When asked about her favorite 4-Minute Meals, Maggie Moon, MS, RD replied, “Some of my favorite 4MMs are the Macro Veggies & Grains, Tabla Shrimp & Vegetable Biryani, and Roasted Chicken with Barley Risotto and Vegetables. I’m especially excited about our new line of frozen Smart & Simple meals, which makes it easy to have a good-for-you option on hand. My favorites from the new line are: Salmon with Lemon and Thyme sauce, Chicken & Goat Cheese pasta, Linguine Pasta with Red Clam Sauce, and our Green Risotto.
Because so many customers, like Kim, love our 4-Minute Meals, we have launched a new selection of Smart & Simple frozen meals. All of these nutritionally-balanced meals are under 500 calories and were developed by our chefs and nutritionist Maggie Moon, MS, RD.
For inspiration on what to put in your grocery cart, check out these healthy eats at a great price on our Healthy Living for Less section. And for great healthy living tips, check out these blog posts written by our nutritionist.
What are your tips for living a healthier, happier life? Let us know on the FreshDirect Facebook page or via Twitter (@FreshDirect).
Please consult your physician before starting any diet or exercise program.