3.2.1. Chilled, Oriental-style noodles
As could be expected from the rank-ordering of specific
ready meals depicted in Table 2, subjects provided mostly
reasons why the Oriental-style noodles were not more often
seen as a likely dinner option. This product was judged to
have a poor appearance, a low nutritional value and an
unbalanced composition, which led it to be perceived as a
rather unhealthy meal. Moreover, subjects thought that
cooking their own Oriental-style noodles was as quick
and easy as using this prepared version and led more often
to a tastier and nutritious outcome. This negative evaluation
of the products features—comparable to that obtained
in a previous study with a fairly similar sample
(Costa et al., 2002a)—led mostly to perceived negative consequences
of its use, such as deriving little enjoyment or
nourishment from ones dinner. The few subjects who were
positive about this ready meal appreciated it mostly for its
convenience and high carbohydrate content. They associated
these features with having more time and energy to devote
to the performance of daily activities.