is buying frozen fruit worth it

Fresh fruits and veggies are tasty, but are they healthier than the frozen kind? Heres the produce youre actually better off buying frozen.

Frozen fruits and vegetables are often more nutritious than their fresh counterparts. Produce harvested to be frozen is picked at its ripest time. The nutrients are then frozen in during this process, which preserves the vitamins, minerals and other phytonutrients.

Did you ever visit your grandma’s house and sit on the porch to snap beans? She talked about the old days, while you snapped off the ends and piled them high in a colander. Crispy and green, these beans taste the best fresh but after growing season is over, the prices are usually four times more than the frozen variety. Canned is an option, but they’re usually soggy. Frozen green beans retain about 90 percent of their B vitamins and are an especially good source for B2, a key vitamin for energy production and vitamin K, which our body uses for blood clotting. Sauté them with mushrooms or sliced almonds for a delicious side dish.

Fresh fruits and veggies are tasty, but are they healthier than the frozen kind? Heres the produce youre actually better off buying frozen.

When you crave the nutty and sweet flavors of squash but don’t have the time to peel and chop it, Rebecca Lewis, RD, an in-house dietitian at HelloFresh, suggests pulling out a bag of frozen butternut squash. Not only is it super convenient, but it also boasts carotenoids, like beta-carotene, that may help protect against heart disease, breast cancer, and age-related macular degeneration. If that’s not good enough, how about 10 percent of recommended dietary intake (RDI) of vitamin C, and 3 grams of protein? (These could be signs you have a nutrient deficiency.)

Fresh spinach is great to eat when you plan to eat it raw, but frozen spinach may be better in recipes that require cooking. “If you’re adding spinach to a sauce, soup, stew, or casserole, consider the frozen option,” says Harbstreet. Fresh spinach loses a significant amount of volume when it cooks down and some nutrients are lost due to leaching. Frozen spinach retains a lot of water, so before adding it to a recipe, thaw it in a mesh strainer and run it under warm water. Break apart the icy chunks with your fingers. Once it is thawed, grab a handful of spinach and squeeze the water out, over the strainer. Most recipes don’t call for the spinach to be completely dry, unless you are adding it to a creamy pasta dish or filling a pastry.

A favorite staple of summer, corn on the cob is shuck worthy at many dinner tables because it’s tasty, easy to prepare, and fun to eat. But alas, corn has a short growing season and we’re left with two options: canned or frozen. “Instead of buying in the can, which is often loaded with salt-infused water, opt to buy frozen,” says Lewis. The kernels will be frozen at the peak of season and easy to boil or microwave when you need it.

The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) is the member-driven national trade association that advances the interests of all segments of the frozen food and beverage industry. AFFI works to advance food safety and advocates before legislative and regulatory entities on the industry’s behalf to create an environment where members’ foods and beverages are proudly chosen to meet the needs of a changing world.

Today’s frozen food aisle offers a more diverse selection of ingredients, side dishes and entrees than ever before. From smoothie bowls to grain bowls and everything in between, the frozen food aisle accentuates culinary trends and, in some cases, starts the culinary adventure. There are a variety of ways for you to get your servings of fruits and vegetables.

A key benefit of frozen produce is you can portion the amount you want and leave the rest for later. Frozen produce is also pre-cleaned and pre-chopped, allowing for more quality time around the table. Better yet, clear cooking or preparation instructions on the package tell you exactly how to cook or prepare your frozen produce. Having your favorite ingredients just a freezer door away also gives you the freedom to get creative with your meals.

Have your produce and eat it too! Did you know that frozen food generates 47% less food waste when compared to ambient and chilled food consumed in the home? By only preparing what you plan to consume, not only do you eat more of your produce, you ensure it lasts.

Frozen fruits and vegetables have the same nutritional value as when they were picked at peak freshness. In fact, studies show frozen fruits and vegetables are as rich in nutrients as their fresh-stored counterparts. Those nutrients locked in place until they’re on your plate.

Why I Buy Frozen Fruit review with coach Devin

FAQ

What are the disadvantages of frozen fruit?

Is it more expensive to buy frozen fruit?

Is it OK to eat frozen fruit everyday?

How nutritious is frozen fruit compared to fresh?

Are frozen fruits worth buying?

You wonder which frozen fruits are worth buying as you peruse bags of Dole strawberries, sliced peaches, and pineapple chunks in your grocer’s freezer section. You want to eat more fruit, and a home freezer stocked with produce is a great step in that direction. You don’t know where to start, though.

Is frozen fruit better than fresh?

When fruit is frozen, it is picked at the peak of ripeness and flash-frozen soon after to preserve the optimal nutrition benefits. Frozen fruit often lasts several months and may be more economical than buying fresh fruit that goes bad quicker. With frozen fruit, you can take out as many pieces as you need and leave the rest for next time.

Should you buy frozen or fresh produce?

Given the breadth of fruit and vegetable options, as well as store sales and loyalty program discounts, it’s tricky to make generalizations or one-for-one comparisons between frozen and fresh produce. That said, frozen does tend to have the edge with pricing, especially if you’re also trying to eat seasonally, Dr. Wahls believes.

Is frozen produce better than fresh?

Seriously! It’s one of the best ways to stock up on produce while sticking to a budget. If you’re one of those folks who believe that frozen is less superior than fresh, then let me correct that myth now. See, frozen fruits and veggies can actually be healthier than fresh produce in some cases.