Did you know we have been freezing food for around 5,000 years? But is frozen food really good for you? It’s in every supermarket, we even have stores selling frozen foods but should it be promoted as a healthy alternative to fresh produce?
One might assume that frozen food is not as healthy as fresh foods but are we wrong? I have written about frozen food before in my post Changing Perceptions – Fresh, Flavourful …….. Frozen Food! But I wanted to revisit the subject and give you a little more information.
Eating frozen foods can provide you with a good source of high nutrient, tasty vegetables, fruits and meals.
This lamb for example can be found at Iceland.
The freezing process does not result in nutrients being lost. In fact, frozen produce can contain similar levels of nutrients if not more than those that we eat ‘fresh’.
Research carried out at Leatherhead Food Research and the University of Chester showed that although freshly picked produce had the highest nutrients frozen produce was far healthier than that sold as fresh.
Leatherhead’s Dr Rachel Burch, said: Frozen can be nutritionally comparable to ‘fresh’ produce.’
The study showed that frozen broccoli had higher amounts of Vitamin C, lutein and four times more beta-carotene. On the flip side the fresh scored better on polyphenols, which are believed to help prevent cancer.
The Chester study found levels of Vitamin C and polyphenols were considerably higher in frozen blueberries and green beans. The frozen blueberries also contained more polyphenols and anthocyanins.
This study also highlighted that fresh produce when refrigerated showed a decrease in their concentration of antioxidant compounds in comparison to that of their frozen counterparts and this was most noticeable in soft fruits.
Not all consumers are aware that vegetables and fruit may have been held in storage for up to a month before being sold and in addition they then sit in the fridge at home sometimes for days before being eaten so eating frozen is actually a healthier option than many might have previously perceived.
Of course freshly picked ripe organic foods are ideal from our own gardens but in this day and age this is not necessarily an option and frozen organic produce is an area that more supermarkets should be looking to branch into. You can however find it at Waitrose / Ocado and a few other places.
This is NOT a sponsored post just something I thought would be of interest.
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I eat frozen a lot these days so thanks for sharing this post.
I’ve recently started buying more frozen veg and fruit as it’s really handy to have in and is reasonably priced.
I have to say I’m really impressed.
I have known for sometime that frozen food is often healthier than fresh bought from a supermarket. We keep our chest freezer well stocked
I am one of those people who just doesn’t freeze food. The only thing you might find in my freezer are frozen peas, fish fingers, some curly fries for the mister and bloodworm for the fish x
Great post. I love using frozen alternatives as I believe that a lotto the goodness is locked in during the freezing process. Plus I waste a lot less. Thanks for sharing.
I much prefer frozen seafood to fresh, I am convinced it tastes much better!
Very interesting! I always found it fascinating that different foods act differently – for example cooked tomatoes being more nutritious than fresh.
I only sometimes buy frozen food and not because I think it’s unhealthy, but because I think it tastes different once it has been frozen and defrosted. But it’s good to know that the fruits and vegetables maintain their vitamins once frozen.
I always have frozen veg in my freezer. I find it better value for money and tastes just as good!
I never knew that frozen fruit and veg could actually be healthier but it does make sense especially when you think about how long they are kept in storage!
I prefer to eat frozen foods as they make it quick and easy to make up a meal so ideal for busy mums and dads .
It is amazing how much better frozen food has become over the years and it tastes a lot nicer as well. x
Goodness! This post is a revelation. Who would have thought frozen is better than fresh. Thanks for sharing.
Frozen is a great option for fruit and veg – it tends to be cheaper because you’re buying in more bulk too. x
Such an interesting read. I’ve always avoided buying frozen fruit and veg but when it is just for me, the fresh items go off really quickly and I end up wasting so much.
I tend to freeze a lot of my food because I live on my own so never eat stuff in time x
I bet you’ll be pleased after reading this then.
This is really interesting. I never thought about how long produce sits around before it’s sold!
It’s good to know and I’m suprised at the number of people that are unaware.
Great post, I think I actually read somewhere once that frozen veg and fruit is better for you than fresh. X
It can be in many cases. I though this would be a great topic to include here so highlight the benefits.
That’s great to know
I do but frozen but often wonder about the nutritional value
Thanks
Well now you now lol, thanks for your comment Margaret.
Great post much needed as different views become ever so confusing these day’s. It’s good to read an unbiased one
Thanks Iris, I thought that this might be useful to all my readers.
This is a genuinely helpful post as so many of us feel guilty dipping into the freezer, especially when feeding our children. Thanks for the education.
Glad you liked it, it’s always good for people to be aware as it makes life easier when cooking.
This is really interesting! I’m not a big fan of frozen pre cooked food but I’ve always heard that it keeps it’s freshness. I prefer frozen peas though!
I do quite like most frozen foods but for some reason i’m not so good with frozen carrots.
I’ve been using frozen food quite a lot recently and I’ve been loving it! It’s so much less faff to use frozen onions rather than having to chop up fresh ones – it’s great to know that it may even be a little healthier too!
It is really handy to use especially when you have little time.
We rely on frozen food where we live, especially in the winter months when fresh produce might be limited. That and it takes so long for fresh stuff to get to us it really isn’t fresh any more! Great post!
Thanks Elizabeth, I think it is really important that people know it’s ok to eat frozen foods (of course not literally unless it’s ice creams etc. lol)
Interesting read, we had that lamb at christmas. So yummy!
I think Iceland have a great range of foods having tried a fair few at an event. Some of the other supermarkets have a pretty good range too.
We eat a fair bit of frozen food, as I don’t like waste, so we keep a lot of frozen fruit and vegetables.
It really does reduce waste which is good, I hate throwing foods away.
Some fruits are really sensitive in terms of storing. Great to know these technical explanations.
They sure are but frozen fruits are fab for smoothies!!!!
That is such an interesting post, i always thought that frozen food is bad for your health, had no idea they can actually better than fresh food. Genuinely enjoyed reading this
So pleased this post is getting a great response. I should look at writing a few more like it on other topics.
I didn’t know that we’ve been freezing food for so long! A very interesting post 🙂
Great post – I’m a huge fan of frozen fruit and veg! They’re more economical, more convenient and often more nutritious than fresh fruit and veg.
Quite right! It makes sense that if something is frozen soon after being picked, it will be in better nick than something which has just been degenerating instead. I know this is true of peas. Good post!
This is such an interesting post, I’ve always wondered whether freezing food impacts its nutritional value or flavour.
I always have frozen veg etc on standby but didn’t realise it could actually be better x
It was great news for me as I do use frozen foods.
Such a great post. I’m a huge fan of frozen fruit and veg, not only is it cheaper but like you said it’s frozen straight away where as fresh can sit for days loosing all its goodness.
I think many don’t realise this so thought it would be good to write a post highlighting it.
It’s best to avoid supermarkets for fresh fruit and vegetables and buy from farmers’ markets or similar, if possible.
In addition to produce being stored for ages before you see it in the supermarket, the nutrients degrade even further if the produce has been cut or trimmed or if it has been subject to heat and light on display for long periods.
Frozen and canned are both good options for some of your five a day.
This is such an informative post and really interesting. I always thought that frozen food was bad for you, but I’ve started freezing fruit to make it last longer and making batches of fresh food and smoothies and freezing them down. It’s good to know they’re still perfect to eat. x
We freeze so much food in my house! x
This looks fab
I freeze nearly all of my food, otherwise it would just go out of date! This is a great post though, loads of interesting information I didn’t even know about! x
Interesting post thanks x
This is useful , I wondered more than once if freezing stuff caused it to lose it’s goodness. Sainsbury’s here I come !
There are some items that you can’t really freeze but you can get many of those that freeze well from supermarkets.