Description: One pound of refrigerated potato salad in a plastic tub.

Preparation summary: Ready to serve.

High points: Have a sweet tooth? There’s enough corn syrup and high fructose in here to stave off a chocolate craving.

Low points: There are two reasons to cancel a picnic: Nobody made potato salad or someone toted this along. The cubed spuds and scant bits of celery drown in a starchy and overly sweet mayonnaise like those used in yellowing potato salads seen at grocery store delis.

Average Retail Price: $1.99

Availability: Ralph’s

Description: Two “pocket” sandwiches of ham (with turkey added) plus reduced-fat cheese and white sauce encased in whole-grain pastry crusts.

Preparation summary: Insert unwrapped product into crisping sleeve, place on paper plate and microwave on high for two minutes. Remove from sleeve and wait two minutes before serving.

High points: The low-fat cheddar and mystery sauce form into a gooey substance that feels like lots of fat coating the tongue. But surprise, there’s only 8 grams of the stuff per sandwich.

Low points: The ham tastes Spammy.

Average Retail Price: $3.49

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Six gluten-free, frozen waffles made with whole wheat and malted barley flours. Contains no preservatives or trans fat.

Preparation summary: Heat waffles on lowest toaster setting until browned.

High points: Waffles turn out crispy on the outside, moist and airy on the inside.

Low points: None, unless you taint their nutritional attributes with scads of butter and syrup.

Average Retail Price: $2.29

Availability: Whole Foods, Henry’s and Trader Joe’s

Description: Six-ounce, frozen quiche made with mild green chilies and cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.

Preparation summary: Microwave on a paper towel for 31?2 minutes, rotating once halfway through the cycle. Let stand for 1 minute.

High points: The eggs retain their fluffiness, the cheese toasts slightly, and the green chilies add a touch of spark.

Low points: Sneeze or cough too hard and the pitifully dry pastry crust practically shatters into smithereens.

Average Retail Price: $1.89

Availability: Trader Joe’s