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October 1, 2012 1:00 am

"As the RTE is simpler, I think it helps people to have breakfast more conveniently and takes just a few minutes to get ready. The morning meal is important for our health but a lot of people skip it because they don't have time," she explains.

Compared to fresh-cooked food from cooked-to-order shops that can be found on every corner, Prapaisri says the RTE has an advantage in hygienic material and preparation, if it is from a certified company.

"Sanitation is important for frozen-food quality, and we found street-side cooking shops don't have much concern for the sterilization of their utensils, raw ingredients and cooking process," she said.

However, as minerals and vitamins are easily diluted by washing or any cooking process, the frozen meals have yet to equal fresh meals in keeping their nutritional value.

"What concerns me is people get a high salt intake from this food and saturated fat from the cooking process," she explains.

Last year Thailand joined the five-year salt reducing campaign of the World Health Organisation. The nutritionist said the recommendation for salt intake is not more than 6 grams a day which equals two teaspoons of fish salt - the more common salt form in Thai kitchens.

"It is hard to change our habits because the sodium helps the food taste better. Actually we have a salt substitute substance like potassium, but it's not widely used in Thailand," she says.

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Simple truths on nutrition and heating in a microwave