convenience food

American  

noun

1. any packaged food, dish, or meal that can be prepared quickly and easily, as by thawing or heating.

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convenience food British  

noun

1. food that needs little preparation, especially food that has been pre-prepared and preserved for long-term storage

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Etymology

Origin of convenience food

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

With a busy schedule, she says she found herself choosing convenience food over cooking - and it's had a lasting impact on her health.

From BBC

Asia has a strong heritage of baked goods, but with rapid urbanisation, and changing lifestyles demand for on-the-go convenience foods is growing steadily.

From BBC

And that, in a country where parents are increasingly turning from traditional diets to convenience foods, has health professionals worried.

From BBC

In descending order of proportion, snacks consisted of convenience foods high in carbohydrates and fats, sweets, alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic drinks that include sugar-sweetened beverages, protein, milk and dairy, fruits, grains and, lagging far behind, vegetables.

From Science Daily

"Elsewhere, trends such as wealthier, more mobile middle classes in emerging countries can support shifts towards snacking and convenience foods."

From Reuters