It is a common belief that fresh produce is more
nutritious than frozen, however, this is not necessarily true. 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 bang for your buck. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables
provides a range of nutrients such as Vitamin C an antioxidant used in the formation of
collagen, a protein that leads to healthy nails, hair, and
skin, minerals
such as calcium that support the structure of our bones and teeth, and fiber
which helps regulate the body's use of sugars, helping to keep hunger in check. In other words, they are a really important part of keeping our bodies
functioning properly. What you might not
know is that you can get the same benefits from eating frozen produce as you
can from fresh.
How Does
Fresh Become Frozen?
Studies investigating fresh produce have determined
fresh produce is frequently picked before peak ripeness a time when they are
most nutritious before being packaged, stored, transported, and then stored
again. The process of freezing itself does actually not alter the nutritional
value. It is during the steps prior to freezing, particularly blanching, and
storage that loss of vitamins and minerals may occur. Blanching is a cooking process in which a
food briefly cooking in boiling water, and then plunged into iced water halt
the cooking process. As a pre-freezing
process, blanching is used to prevent changes in color, flavor, and nutrition
during frozen storage. However, this treatment can cause the minimal loss of
certain water-soluble vitamins. In general, since fruits
are more sensitive to heat, they are rarely undergo the blanching
treatment. Interestingly, some frozen
fruits are enhanced with vitamin C during the packaging process to prevent
browning.
What are the Benefits of Frozen Produce?
·
Frozen
produce is a great, healthy alternative to fresh, and still have a considerable amount of nutrition.
·
Price
is also a factor between fresh and frozen produce. For those shopping
on a budget, frozen produce may be more cost-effective.
·
Fresh
produce has a much shorter shelf life than their frozen alternatives. If you
are going to use the produce promptly, fresh is a good choice. However, to
reduce the risk of spoilage and waste, frozen is a safe bet.
·
The
availability of produce is limited and fresh-picked produce is not always an
option year round. Freezing retains freshness of fruits
and vegetables for long periods, making them available well beyond the normal
season.
Dairy
Free Tropical Citrus Smoothie:
Yield: 1,
16 oz serving
Ingredients:
½ cups
frozen bananas
¼ cup
frozen pineapple
¼ cup
frozen mangoes
¼ cup
frozen apples
¾ cup
almond milk
Directions
Combine
all ingredients in blender. Blend
on high until smooth