"TV DINNERS" have been part our vocabulary for many years. Frozen foods are quick, easy and of many varieties. Many are controlled in calories, fat and sodium. Often, they are less expensive than take-out. However, some nutritional considerations should be kept in mind.

Look for meals that have the most vegetables. Brands with healthy-sounding names may offer more vegetables and whole grains.

Read the Nutrition Facts panel and compare different brands. TV meals might contain similar foods, but one might be considerably higher in sodium or saturated fat. A good rule of thumb is to look for no more than 800 milligrams of sodium and no more than 10-13 grams of fat in a meal that contains about 300 - 400 calories.

Supplement your frozen meal with other healthful foods. Add some packaged tossed salad, some leftover cooked veggies or a cup of vegetable soup. A whole-grain roll on the side and a piece of fresh fruit can satisfy your hunger and add nutritional benefits.

Even less expensive than buying a frozen meal is freezing your own healthful home-cooked meals packed in individual, healthy-sized portions in microwave-safe containers.