Description: Low-calorie fruit drink with chromium and hydroxycitric acid designed to promote healthy metabolisms and curb appetites.

Preparation summary: Ready to serve

High points: If you respond well to placebos, this could work

Low points: Didn’t lose a pound and cravings for naughty foods persisted. The juice’s fruitiness is weak and a little tart.

Average Retail Price: $2.68

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Canned chili with meat, beans and habanero peppers

Preparation summary: Heat on stovetop or in microwave

High points: Good beef flavor, hearty texture and pleasantly spicy

Low points: The heat level is more like “firecracker hot” rather than “dynamite.” Tough Texans would laugh at the result.

Average Retail Price: $2.29

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: “New recipe” in a line of single-serving frozen pizzas tailored for microwaves. The mushroom topping is augmented by a blend of mozzarella, parmesan, Romano and asiago.

Preparation summary: Place pizza on top of peeled back carton and microwave on high for three minutes.

High points: Adequately cheesy with only 5 grams of fat and 300 calories. Leaves you reasonably full if you stay inert.

Low points: The so-called “new recipe” doesn’t solve the problem of dough cooking badly in the microwave. A plain, dense crust and chewy mushrooms call for a return to Lean Cuisine’s kitchen labs.

Average Retail Price: $2.39

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Uncooked couscous flavored with turmeric, garlic, parsley, onions and honey, and speckled with peas and carrots

Preparation summary: In medium saucepan, combine one and a fourth cup water, two teaspoons of olive oil or butter and contents of “spice sack.” Bring to a boil, stir in the couscous. Cover and remove from heat, then let stand for five minutes.

High points: Delicately flavored and as fluffy as confetti. The small grains make for an ideal alternative to rice; even better if you toss in crumbled feta.

Low points: None

Average Retail Price: $2.99

Availability: Major grocery stores