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CALORIES: 250 SODIUM: 890 mg CARBS: 31 g PROTEIN: 13 g FROZEN DINNERS: Banquet WEB SITE: banquet.com PRICE*: $1.39 FAT: 6 g WEIGHT: 9.9 oz

Updated: 11/05/08 02:23 PM

Comparison shopper / Surveying frozen chicken dinners

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CALORIES: 300 SODIUM: 560mg CARBS: 51g PROTEIN: 18g FROZEN DINNERS: Lean Cuisine WEB SITE: leancuisine.com PRICE*: $2.99 FAT: 3g WEIGHT: 10oz

CALORIES: 320 SODIUM: 680mg CARBS: 48g PROTEIN: 14g FROZEN DINNERS: Smart Ones WEB SITE: eatyourbest.com PRICE*: $3.67 FAT: 8g WEIGHT: 9oz

CALORIES: 330 SODIUM: 610 mg CARBS: 32 g PROTEIN: 13 g FROZEN DINNERS: Swanson WEB SITE: swansonmeals.com PRICE*: $1.59 FAT: 17 g WEIGHT: 7.5 oz

FAT: 5g CALORIES: 370 SODIUM: 600mg CARBS: 63g PROTEIN: 17g FROZEN DINNERS: Healthy Choice WEB SITE: healthychoice.com PRICE*: $3.89 WEIGHT: 12oz

Craving a hot meal? Not enough time to cook? How about dinner in a minute? America’s love affair with frozen dinners began about 1954 with the introduction of Swanson’s “Original TV Dinner.” On some TV trays nowadays, the focus has moved beyond meat and potatoes to more trendy and healthier victuals.

For the sake of comparing apples to apples, we chose chicken dinners by a number of frozen food providers. Although the side dishes vary, the bird is the main attraction. Some of these meals can be found on sale or discounted with coupons. Share your favorite frozen dinner deals on our blog at www.buffalonews.com/moneysmart . — James E. Brennan