Analysis of Swanson(tm) Brand Frozen Dinners
(Specifically, the Mexican Fiesta Dinner with Duncan Hines(tm) Brownie)
By: Paul Panks (d u n r i c @ y a h o o . c o m)

The average Swanson meal costs around $3.19. Not exactly a bargain, but
not overpriced when compared with Uncle Ben's Rice and other obscenely
expensive frozen dinners. Swanson(tm) Brand Frozen Dinners are produced
and distributed by Pinnacle Corporation, a major USA food manufacturer.

Swanson meals are typically more flavorful, and include larger
portions, than competing frozen dinner brands (such as ConAgra Foods'
Banquet (tm) Brand Frozen Dinners). The quality of ingredients in most
frozen dinners is shockingly low. The same holds true with so-called
"Premium" frozen dinner brands, including Swanson's very own "Hungry
Man" dinners.

One of the more popular varieties of Swanson Brand frozen dinners is
the Mexican Fiesta. Complete with surprisingly pleasing refried beans
and a delightful array of cheese, mexican-style sauce and flavorful
enchiladas, the Mexican Fiesta Brand of Swanson meals is sure to be a
crowd pleaser. My only complaint was the Rhode Island-sized Duncan
Hines(tm) Brand Brownie. If I wanted such a small brownie I'd go to
either Paradise Bakery or Mrs. Field's. A Texas-sized Duncan Hines(tm)
Brand Brownie would have perfectly complimented the meal.

Nutrition-wise, the Mexican Fiesta is above average in quantities of
protein, sodium (salt) and carbohydrates. A significantly high amount
of saturated fat is also present in the meal.

Although the Mexican Fiesta tasted quite good and filled me up, other
Swanson variety frozen meals left me scratching my head. Since when do
"reconstituted potatoes" ensure high quality nutrients to consumers?
Couldn't they have just provided a real baked potato and skipped the
small brownie altogether? It is a sad day in the frozen food industry
when reconstituted potatoes serve to explain a favoring of cost cutting
maneuvers to improved nutritional value.

Pros: Good taste, decent price
Cons: Nutrients suspect; cost reduction favored over nutritional value
of product.

Overall rating: 7.5 out of 10 (8/10 taste, 6/10 nutrients, 8/10 price).

Paul

wrote in part:

>
> Pros: Good taste, decent price
> Cons: Nutria suspect; cost reduction favored over nutria value
> of product.
>
> Overall rating: 7.5 out of 10 (8/10 taste, 6/10 nutria, 8/10 price).
>

Fixed yr. post.

--
It Came From C. L. Smith's Unclaimed Mysteries.
http://www.unclaimedmysteries.net

"When I said 'some of my best ideas came while walking between classes
at Harvard' I did not mean to suggest I attended Harvard." -Brian Sack's
Memoirs, Corrected

" > writes:

>One of the more popular varieties of Swanson Brand frozen dinners is
>the Mexican Fiesta. Complete with surprisingly pleasing refried beans
>and a delightful array of cheese

Dude, you are so high. No TV dinner has an "array of cheese". I
suspect it's not even cheese but pasteurized processed cheesefood.

>crowd pleaser. My only complaint was the Rhode Island-sized Duncan
>Hines(tm) Brand Brownie. If I wanted such a small brownie I'd go to
>either Paradise Bakery or Mrs. Field's. A Texas-sized Duncan Hines(tm)
>Brand Brownie would have perfectly complimented the meal.

This is proof that you are high. My husband eats these Hungry Man
things with the fake brownie and they're ridiculous. You cook the meal
a few minutes, then rip out the brownie (i.e. leave a pile of pseudo-
food chocolate-flavored crumbs everywhere), then cook it the rest of the
way. It's stupid. The only point to eating a TV dinner is to save time
and if you have to fiddle with crap, then you're not saving time and
might as well fix yourself something real.
Yes, my husband and I do have this argument often, why do you ask?

Stacia

I'm on a budget so TV dinner meals are favorable. For what they are,
Swanson meals are way better than Banquet.

Paul

wrote:
> I'm on a budget so TV dinner meals are favorable. For what they are,
> Swanson meals are way better than Banquet.
>
> Paul

Budget Gormet aren't too bad if you are really poor like I was, as a
student.
-L.

>I'm on a budget so TV dinner meals are favorable.

Bull crap. As a value, they suck. Consider what you get for your $3.19
: IIRC, the net weight of this item is 10.5oz or 11oz. that is less
than 3/4 of a pound, so you are paying $4.64/pound (at 11 oz, and $4.86
at 10.5 oz). It is not difficult to find higher quality foods are that
price or less. Indeed, even decent cheese is available at that price,
and the beans and rice are very cheap. For the $3.19 you spent, I could
have feasted and eaten healthier food at the same time. Frequently I am
able to feed a complete meal to a family of four for under $10, and the
meals are healthier, better tasting, and larger than any frozen dinner
type entree in anywhere near that price range.

Consider your meal:
A few small tortillas
These are very cheap, and even the major markets carry both flour
and cornmeal ones. The cornmeal (or whole wheat if you prefer) have a
lower glycemic index, and are better for you. They are cheaper by far
than $4.64/lbs, even for high quality.

A tiny amount of meat
Again, every market has better quality meat available for less than
$4.64/lbs

rice and beans
Both far cheaper than $4.64/lbs. Note : this is the majority of your
meal, and you are paying a premium price for the cheapest of
ingredients.

A small amount of cheese
Better cheese is also available for well under $4.64/lbs.

spices and flavorings
Even if you buy the single packages of spices, they are cheap. One
of those packages will cover four larger meals. If you buy bulk spices,
the net cost is tiny. For a Mexican meal, a bit of cumin, pepper, and
hot sauce will do the trick. Add fresh cilantro and be happy. DON'T add
the huge amount of salt that they include in most frozen dinners.

a tiny brownie
You can make better brownies for less than $4.64/lbs. I'd suggest
Duncan Hines packages if you are not a baker. Their packages are
reasonably priced, and all you need to do is add eggs, oil, and
sometimes butter or water. Butter, the most expensive of these
ingredients, is still cheaper than $4.64/lb unless you want imported
cultured butter from Europe (although even that can be found for less
if you know where to look.) Note that the boxes of Duncan Hines
products will produce a superior brownie than the one included in the
frozen dinner.. If you want to go all out, ask for Barb's recipe, which
is even better, and can still be made for less than $4.64/lbs.

Of course, all this can't be made by pressing a single button on your
microwave, but you stated that the criteria upon which you were judging
was based upon budgetary considerations, taste, and nutritional value,
not convenience. A home cooked meal beats a frozen dinner in every one
of those categories.

Dean G.

wrote:

> Analysis of Swanson(tm) Brand Frozen Dinners

This is Paul Panks, a well-known usenet troll. I know the college
football people know him, but not rec.food.cooking.

Please ignore him.



Brian

--
If televison's a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who
won't shut up.
-- Dorothy Gambrell (http://catandgirl.com)

Dude, lay off the cocaine. This is a good newsgroup and I'm discussing
the viability of Swanson frozen dinners compared with other frozen
dinner varieties.

Paul

[snip the rest of your ****ing bullshit]

wrote:

> Dude, lay off the cocaine. This is a good newsgroup and I'm discussing
> the viability of Swanson frozen dinners compared with other frozen
> dinner varieties.

Paul, you've been posting crap all over usenet for years. I invite
anyone who has doubts to do a quick Google Groups check for "paul
panks" and see what turns up.



Brian

--
If televison's a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who
won't shut up.
-- Dorothy Gambrell (http://catandgirl.com)

wrote:

[nobody really cares what he wrote]

r.f.c people, read some of this and know the wonder that is Panks:

<http://groups.google.com/group/rec.s.../browse_frm/th
read/e645bda879f09e7f?hl=en&>



Brian
--
If televison's a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who
won't shut up.
-- Dorothy Gambrell (http://catandgirl.com)

Why are you so obsessed with responding to my posts if they bother you
so much?

Paul

wrote:

> Why are you so obsessed with responding to my posts if they bother you
> so much?

I wuv you Paul.

Seriously, I told you before to keep your kooky crap in the newsgroups
that are used to you. I won't say anything about you there. When you
come peddling your crap in groups like comp.lang.c or rec.food.cooking,
I'm going to call you out. Get used to it or better yet, quit being a
troll.


Brian


--
If televison's a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who
won't shut up.
-- Dorothy Gambrell (http://catandgirl.com)