What can’t she do? At 44, Michelle Bridges is just about to give birth to her first child, has helped thousands in her 12 Week Body Transformation – and now she is branching out into frozen healthy meals.
Her new Delicious Nutritious range launches in Woolworths supermarkets this week, and is set to shake up the diet food market.
TESTER: Rosie, 28, a quick meal at the desk while working
BEEF AND TOMATO CASSEROLE – Michelle Bridges Woolworths Delicious Nutritious Range
INITIAL IMPRESSION: I’ve cooked a lot of Michelle Bridges at home, so I’m curious to see how the frozen boxed version goes. The description is promising – this comes with root vegetables and chickpea mash, spiced cauliflower and green beans.
THE TASTE: Simple and satisfying. Great for a quick meal at the desk or a frozen dinner. The meat was surprisingly tender and the sauce had a good flavour. The chickpea mash had me full through till dinner.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: I can’t really fault this one. I’ve never been a fan of the frozen meal, but this was easy, cheap and pretty tasty.
Michelle has kept up her exercise regime throughout her pregnancy. Michelle Bridges/Instagram.
TESTER: Samantha, 31, needs a quick meal in the evening after a workout
BEEF MASSAMAN CURRY – Michelle Bridges Woolworths Delicious Nutritious Range
INITIAL IMPRESSION: I was impressed that the box says it has three serves of veg. Inside, there are two plastic boxes – one for the meat and vegetables, and another for the rice and tiny pieces of diced pumpkin.
THE TASTE: I was concerned that there wasn’t much meat – but what was there tasted good. That was the best part, as I did feel full afterwards.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: I don’t like red onion, so I picked that out, so that’s just my taste.
TESTER: Michelle, 48, mother of one, would like to lose 10kg
ASIAN STYLE CHICKEN – Michelle Bridges Woolworths Delicious Nutritious Range
INITIAL IMPRESSION: The box says it has 292 calories and three serves of veg. Inside, there are two plastic boxes – one for the chicken and noodles, and another for the veg. They are microwaved separately. And it’s good to read that the first ingredients listed are carrot, pumpkin, broccoli, baby beans, red capsicum and red onion, plus RSPCA Approved Chicken breast.
THE TASTE: Delicious! The soy/honey sauce tasted fresh and light. The soba noodles added an interesting modern touch and the chicken was identifiable as fresh meat – not a grey gruel mess like most supermarket freezer meals.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: The pumpkin and carrot are cut up into little cubes, which gives a ‘nanna’ appearance. Julienne strips, please! And I guess I’m not used to eating just 292 calories for lunch, so I felt a little hungry at the end. But as my normal lunch comes in at two or three times as many calories, this kind of makes sense. I would definitely eat again.
TESTER: Bernard, 54, for a quick meal at the desk while working
MOROCCAN STYLE CHICKPEA TAGINE – Michelle Bridges Woolworths Delicious Nutritious Range
INITIAL IMPRESSION: It’s only 347 calories! In the frozen box, there are two plastic containers – one for the herbed couscous, broccoli and cauliflower, and another for the capsicum and chickpea mixture. They are microwaved separately but simultaneously for the most part (chickpea mixture needs an extra minute).
THE TASTE: Tangy and exotic, with a pleasant zest. The ingredients include dried apricots, pumpkin seeds, garlic, and apple and lemon juice concentrate, and it smelled really good on cooking. It was fulfilling enough for a man with a capacious stomach!
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: I’m not a vegetarian, so while it was satisfying in its own way this felt somewhat like a side dish. I’d be curious for version with a meat included. It’s spicy but have a little salt and freshly ground black pepper handy if desired.
