Hungry? Fetch your next meal from your freezer to celebrate (?) National Frozen Food Month in March.
The frozen food market -- including dinners serving one person up to a whole family, sides of steamed vegetables and diet-friendly grub -- has been around since 1944. Its convenience and ability to stay "fresh" for long periods of time grew a $31 billion dollar industry, according to a 2012 topic report done by AMG Strategic Advisors. The ads for the instant meals are everywhere -- on television and in magazines -- promise bright and filling fare with almost no effort.
But our liking toward frozen food has decreased over the past few years, according to the Wall Street Journal. Milennials, it says, are more health-conscious, raised in a time that perceives processed food as unattractive.
We wonder why.
Check out what happened when we decided to warm up some frozen food and compare it to its marketing image. Overall, not too shabby.
Healthy Choice beef merlot
Is it my eyes or does the actual meat look a little on the gray side, à la #TheDress?
Healthy Choice Chicken Parmigiana
Well, the broccoli looks the same. Success?
Lean Cuisine glazed chicken
That actual sauce is questionable to say the least. Look at how it coagulates. But bravo on the grill marks.
Lean Cuisine sesame chicken
I don't think I've seen sadder looking noodles.
Boston Market chicken and dumplings
Fifty shades of beige.
Weight Watchers Salisbury steak
That one clumpy macaroni noodle says it all.