It’s Time to Freeze the Myths on Frozen Veggies
Oftentimes, people associate the idea of frozen foods with “preservatives” and “unhealthy”. This long-lasting belief tends to influence grocery shoppers to avoid the freezer aisle.
What if I told you frozen produce is just as healthy as fresh produce? Sometimes even healthier!
Of course, if you’re a salad person who loves the crunch of raw veggies, fresh vegetables would be ideal. But, if you’d like to cut your cooking prep time in half, skip a grocery store trip, save money, all while helping the environment, frozen produce should be your new go-to!
Let’s explore the cold truth on why the benefits of frozen produce just might change your grocery shopping habits!
Unsure where to start? Book a Discovery Call to learn more!
Frozen veggies are just as healthy as fresh veggies …and just as delicious!
Contrary to popular belief, frozen vegetables hold the same nutritional benefits as fresh vegetables. Here’s why:
The vegetables are harvested when they are fully ripe… this is when they are at peak nutrients and flavour!
The veggies are boiled and cooled, making them last super long without spoilage!
To lock in all the goodness and nutrients, they are then flash-freezed1
So- what about the preservatives myth? Consider it debunked! No preservatives are added in the process.
It is possible for some nutrients to be lost in the boiling process, but the majority of nutrients are secured at the freezing stage. The nutrients available in fresh vegetables can also be lost in transportation time. This is why frozen veggies can sometimes be more nutritious than fresh veggies!
Save Money by Choosing Frozen!
By making the switch to frozen, a considerable amount of money can be saved. For instance, 1 pound of frozen okra is roughly $2.25. While 1 pound of fresh okra is about $5.15. Frozen veggies also include more volume per pound, as it is already prepped and chopped. In fact, a survey revealed 83% of Canadian consumers reported saving money by purchasing frozen vegetables over fresh and effectively limiting waste! (2,3)
A Few Tips For Shopping Frozen
Check the ingredient list for added salt, seasonings or sauces— unless you were looking for a certain sauce, this will avoid higher sodium, sugar and fat levels.
Have a mix of frozen veggies on hand. The most popular combo is carrots, peas and corn. This versatile mix can be used for stir-fry, soups, and pasta dishes!
While long-lasting, don’t forget that frozen veggies have an expiry date as well! Find this date on the packaging.
Have some fun and explore international flavours such as Bangkok-style stir fry or a Mediterranean combo of veggies!
Final Thoughts
Frozen veggies are a true game changer in the kitchen to effectively eat, cook, and save. You can have the benefits of quick and easy prep without compromising nutritional value.
From busy work days, to lazy Mondays, or when cooking feels like too much, frozen veggies will always have your back.
Now, are you ready to fill your freezer with frozen veggies?
Want to learn more about how to incorporate frozen veggies into your diet? Book a Discovery Call with me!
Bibliography
1. Lin A. Freeze! Engineering Frozen Vegetables and Fruits. Illumin. Published June 20, 2005. https://illumin.usc.edu/freeze-engineering-frozen-vegetables-and-fruits/
2. USDA ERS - Fruit and Vegetable Prices. www.ers.usda.gov. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/fruit-and-vegetable-prices
3. Young ME. Consumers Agree: It’s Easier to Eat More Produce and Reduce Food Waste with Frozen Fruits and Vegetables on Hand. AFFI - American Frozen Food Institute. Published November 14, 2022. https://affi.org/consumers-agree-its-easier-to-eat-more-produce-and-reduce-food-waste-with-frozen-fruits-and-vegetables-on-hand/