Description: Two frozen 10-ounce servings of French onion soup using vegetable broth base that also includes croutons and Swiss cheese topping.

Preparation summary: Place frozen soup in an ovenproof bowl and cook in a 400-degree, pre-heated oven for 40 minutes, or until the cheese topping bubbles and browns. Or heat in microwave oven for seven to nine minutes on high.

Highpoints: Though it looks and smells like an oversized bouillon cube when taken out of the package, the flavor is surprisingly non-artificial tasting and the cheese seems real. The broth is sweet rather than salty. Cooking in the conventional oven results in a more classical presentation because the cheese stays on top and yields a golden-brown finish.

Lowpoints: Forty minutes is too long a wait for a cup of frozen soup. Yet speed up the cooking process in the microwave and you end up with melted curds struggling to stay afloat before they fall to a gooey death at the bottom of the bowl.

Average retail price: $4.49

Availability: Trader Joe’s

Description: High-fiber cereal by Kashi containing a potpourri of crunchy graham twigs, toasted wheat flakes and vanilla-dipped rice crisps, plus active “probiotic cultures” and ginger.

Preparation summary: Eat plain or with milk.

Highpoints: Strange days indeed when breakfast cereal includes in its ingredient list broccoli extract. But when you look at the high amount of fiber, potassium and vitamin D in this stuff and then come away feeling regular the following day, it’s easy to understand why we should push aside the Cocoa Puffs.

Lowpoints: The vanilla-coated “rice crisps” plus a touch of evaporated cane juice syrup in the mix barely rescue the cereal from tasting too healthy.

Average retail price: $4.29

Availability: Most major grocery stores

Description: Sliced loaf wheat bread studded with grains, nuts and seeds. One of several varieties in the Oroweat line.

Preparation summary: Ready to eat.

Highpoints: When a friend of mine professed this was the best bread he’d ever eaten, he steered me well. Spread on the butter and you’ve entered nirvana. Add jam and wow! Or slap on the cold cuts and behold the versatility of these orgasm-inducing slices that give you whispers of brown sugar and an extra dose of nuttiness.

Lowpoints: As demonstrated by the price, wheat, walnuts and sunflower seeds aren’t cheap.

Average retail price: $3.89

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Ramen noodles with vegetables and spicy seasoning.

Preparation summary: Pull back cover and fill Styrofoam container with boiling water. Close lid securely and let stand for three minutes.

Highpoints: Chock full of curly noodles, a good fill for the price and spicy enough to spit fire should you decide to don a saucy devil outfit this Halloween.

Lowpoints: Heavy loads of salt, preservatives, bad oils and unrecognizable agents.

Average retail price: 49 cents

Availability: Major grocery stores