Fresh vs. Frozen
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Sure, they’re convenient, but can frozen vegetables be as nutritious as fresh? Find out here!
You surely don’t want kids to be “fresh,” but shouldn’t you want your vegetables to be? Not necessarily, say experts who have studied the nutrient content of fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables. In fact, studies have shown that frozen vegetables contain about the same levels of nutrients as fresh produce does. That’s delicious news for those of us who love the convenience of foods we can “heat and eat.” Here’s the real deal on choosing and using vegetables.
Use it or lose it: Fresh vegetables steadily lose nutrients after they’re harvested. If you purchase fresh produce that has been shipped a long distance or stored for a while, it may contain fewer nutrients by serving time than a frozen equivalent.
Get the peak: Freezing “locks in” nutrients. Vegetables to be frozen are usually picked when their nutrient contents are the highest. Once frozen, the vegetables’ nutrients are “locked in” until the products are prepared. More good news: The freezing process doesn’t significantly decrease nutrients.
Easy does it: Frozen and canned vegetables are convenient. These choices can help make it easier to reach the goal of 2 to 3 cups of vegetables a day recommended by USDA’s MyPyramid (www.mypyramid.gov). Frozen and canned vegetables are already washed, peeled, and cut up, so you have no excuse not to eat them!
Bottom line: Stock up on a variety of fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables. When selecting fresh vegetables, buy those that are “in season,” and use them within a few days. Always keep an assortment of frozen and canned vegetables on hand for fast, delicious, and nutritious side dishes and veggie-packed meals every day!
