Why You Should Buy Frozen Fruits and Vegetables
By Sara Butler
Some people think that in order to get their nutrition the right way, they have to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. But this just isn’t true! Fresh produce is obviously delicious and of course, you should feel free to buy and eat it as much as your heart desires. But there’s a place for frozen produce in your healthy life, too. To get your recommended five servings per day of fruits and vegetables, sometimes it just makes sense to turn to the freezer aisle. After all, if you have your freezer stocked, then you’re more likely to get what you need. Here are the benefits of frozen fruits and vegetables and how you can easily fit them into your dietary routine.
They’re Convenient!
One of the best things about frozen produce is that you’re not giving up any nutrients by buying them. Canned foods often lose some of their nutrients in the canning process (and add salt!) but frozen fruits and vegetables are picked and flash frozen at the peak of ripeness. This means you’re getting all the benefits you would from fresh produce – maybe even more!
Studies have found that the longer fresh produce sits in your fridge, the less nutritious it is. Nutrients simply degrade over time. But frozen foods are sitting in stasis, ready to unleash their vitamins and minerals on you. They may actually be more nutritious than fresh produce that is a few days old.
It’s Affordable
Perhaps one of the best things about frozen foods is their affordability. Quite often, organic frozen foods are cheaper than their fresh counterparts – and you usually get more, too. Plus, frozen foods can be kept for longer than fresh, so if you think you may not go through something in time, then frozen foods make a good investment.
Some Frozen Food Ideas
You should look at frozen produce as a complement to fresh produce. However you can get your five servings of both fruit and vegetables per day is what you should focus on. Just make sure you check out the frozen food nutritional information to ensure that you’re only getting the fruit or vegetable you want, not added sugar or preservatives.
You can easily incorporate frozen fruits and vegetables into your diet by:
- Adding them to your morning smoothie
- Sauté frozen vegetables with herbs and garlic and use them as a bed for lean protein
- Steam frozen vegetables and toss with pesto
- Thaw individual servings of berries in the fridge to have on hand for yogurt, oatmeal, and salads
These frozen food ideas can get you started on the road to better health and nutrition while saving you some time and money in the process!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Roswell, Ga.
