You may think it's common sense that frozen fruits and vegetables are not as nutritious as their fresh counterparts, but I am happy to report that I don't need a singing snowman to tell me that this is not true!
Think about it, fresh produce is often picked, boxed, transported over long distances, and then left to sit on store shelves for up to several weeks.
The time lapse between picking fresh produce and purchasing it at a store can often cause a loss of some nutritional value as it's exposed to light and air. Both taste and texture may also be diminished.
Meanwhile, before getting to the freezer, frozen fruits and vegetables are picked, quickly blanched (cooked for a short time in boiling water or steamed), and immediately frozen and packaged, generally when nutrient levels are at their highest. So frozen fruits and vegetables are processed at their peak, in terms of freshness and nutrition. This means that the vitamins and nutrients are preserved until the next time the package is open.
The U.S. FDA and the International Food Information Council (IFIC) both report that nutrients in produce are generally NOT lost during freezing (and canning), and they provide the same essential nutrients and health benefits as fresh.
Another bonus of going frozen: it’s often less expensive. Though fresh fruits and veggies may be more visually appealing and taste better, they don’t last as long in your fridge and may not be the most nutritious. I have personally used frozen spinach from a well known British supermarket and it has already been chopped and shaped into ready made portions that are easy to add to a smoothie. AND YOU DONT GET ANY OF THE STRINGY BITS
At the end of the day, any fruits and vegetables are better than none at all. Just remember:
- Buy fresh produce in season and buy local when possible
- Buy non-seasonal produce frozen (if possible)
- Even using canned fruits and veggies without added salt or sugar is also a good choice
Here are some great ways to include fruits and veggies in your daily routine:
- Keep a fruit bowl on the kitchen counter and in the office
- Have some cut-up vegetables in the refrigerator at all times for easy snacking
- Add fresh or frozen fruit to your breakfast in cereal, oatmeal or yogurt
- Choose fruit for dessert (frozen grapes anyone?!)
- Add a mix of frozen vegetables when you prepare soups, sauces and casseroles
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