A nutritionist shares the 6 frozen foods she always buys: 'They're just as healthy—and cheaper than fresh' (2024)

FAQs

Are frozen foods as nutritious as fresh? ›

It is easy to assume that fresh produce is always the best choice, but in some cases, frozen fruits and veggies may give you more health benefits and bang for your buck. “The truth about fresh versus frozen is that both have the same nutrients, unless frozen produce has sauces or sugars added,” says Beal.

Generally, frozen food tends to be slightly cheaper than fresh food because it doesn't need to be transported and delivered within a short time frame. However, in some cases, the cost of freezing, processing and storing frozen foods can add to the price you see at the store.

Frozen produce is typically cheaper than its fresh equivalent, especially out of season. There is minimal wastage and you can use the exact amount you need – all of which makes frozen produce more cost effective and accessible to more people.

Certain frozen foods, such as those containing cheese, cream, or red and processed meats, may be high in unhealthy fats like saturated fats, which can increase the risk of heart disease and other health issues. Try to stick with meals with around 3 grams of saturated fat or less.

Feel free to mix and match fresh and frozen as desired. "It's more important to consume the recommended amounts of fruits daily than worry about which form you're getting the fruit from," Ehsani says. "If you love to have bananas, oranges and kiwi fresh, but prefer to stock up on berries that are frozen, that's great!

Frozen vegetables can be a great part of a healthy diet. They give you the same benefits as fresh vegetables, and there are extra advantages.

One of the biggest and most known disadvantages of cooking frozen foods is that it has the potential to remove much of the flavor obtained when consuming the fresh version. In addition, many foods lose nutrients and vitamins once they have been frozen.

Factories can produce processed foods much more efficiently than farmers can grow fruits and vegetables, and this means that processed food is often more affordable for consumers than fresh whole foods.

Frozen vegetables are slightly less nutritional than fresh options. Most fresh fruits and vegetables that are intended to be frozen are picked at peak ripeness, which is when they contain the most nutrients. Nutrients and water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin B and C are lost during the blanching process.

Washing fruits and vegetables is important because it gets rid of excess dirt and bacteria. Although most frozen fruits and vegetables are washed before packaging, it is still important to wash them before use. Just rinse frozen or thawed fruit in a colander under cool water and then enjoy.

Are frozen blueberries as good as fresh? ›

Yes they are!

One of the key advantages of frozen pineapple is that the fruits are harvested at their peak ripeness, ensuring the sweetest and most flavourful taste. Freezing allows us to preserve the natural sweetness and enhances the taste – ready for you to enjoy.

Frozen Pizza

While there are exceptions, most are high in calories, sugar and sodium. They're typically highly processed and contain artificial preservatives, added sugar and unhealthy fats.

Excessive sodium, sugar, and saturated fats, harmful preservatives, nutrient loss, and unhealthy cooking methods are among the hidden dangers of frozen meals. Additionally, these meals can have implications for heart health, mental well-being, and portion control.

With the correct guidance, however, frozen meals can be part of healthy eating plan! In general, look for frozen meals that include … Less than 7% of calories from saturated fat …the less saturated fat, the better!

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), there is little change in nutritional value during freezer storage. But ultimately, whether or not freezing food changes the nutritional makeup depends on the exact food being frozen, and whether or not it's blanched or cooked first.

The verdict! There's nothing wrong with frozen food; in fact, properly freezing meat can help tenderise it. Frozen cuts can be just as tasty as their fresh versions and retain their nutritional value as long as the freezing and defrosting process has been carried correctly.

"Processed foods" include those that have been cooked, canned, frozen, packaged or nutritionally altered by fortifying, preserving or preparing it in different ways. In other words, any time we cook, bake or prepare a food, we're creating a processed food.

Plus, 1 cup of frozen spinach has more than four times the amount of nutrients—including fiber, folate, iron and calcium—compared to a cup of fresh spinach, so if you want to power up, do it with frozen spinach.