The Case for Frozen

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