Description: Whole grain oats coated in strawberry “natural yogurt” that is part of an expanded line of Cheerios cereal products.

Preparation summary: Ready to eat.

High points: Satisfyingly sweet while containing only nine grams of sugar per serving, which is several notches below other sweetened cereals.

Low points: Mere hints of dried strawberries emerge because not every “O” is coated with the heat-treated yogurt. The “burst” effect isn’t evident. This after the FDA slaps General Mills on the butt for claiming that Cheerios lower cholesterol.

Average Retail Price: $3.89

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Two vacuum-sealed patties made with organic mushrooms and brown rice.

Preparation summary: Heat in oiled skillet until hot, or microwave on high for one minute.

High points: None

Low points: Gives vegetarians a bad rap. Patties are utterly flavorless and require copious condiments to get down.

Average Retail Price: $3.99

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: One of four varieties of new flatbread pizzas introduced recently by Kraft Foods Global Inc.

Preparation summary: Bake frozen pizza on center rack of a 400-degree preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes.

High points: The crust turns out firm and crispy, though avoids the dense cracker-like quality of other frozen pizzas. Onions are soft, translucent and gentle on the breath, and the Italian sausage pops with fennel.

Low points: A little extra red sauce would sweeten the deal.

Average Retail Price: $7.99

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Boxed kit by Betty Crocker containing rice, two different sauce mixes and corn chips, all of which are added to hamburger meat.

Preparation summary: Brown one pound of ground beef and add a cup of milk, two cups of hot water and rice packet. Cook for 25 minutes, then top with corn chips and cover them with cheese sauce powder mixed with milk.

High points: Keeps you in the potluck circuit.

Low points: Generically seasoned sludge that is reminiscent of Mexican cooking by gringo housewives from the 1960s. The highly processed chili and cheese sauces, combined with the salty corn chips, send the ground beef into oblivion.

Average Retail Price: $2.89

Availability: Major grocery stores