Berries, tomatoes and mixed vegetables: The foods that are better to buy and eat frozen than fresh (and those that should always be consumed right away)
- Frozen fruit and vegetables can often be healthier as they are ‘snap frozen’
- This locks in the nutrients, unlike fresh products which lose them as they age
- Dietitian Lyndi Cohen revealed why mixed veg and berries are healthier frozen
When shopping for fruit and vegetables, it can be easy to bypass the frozen aisle in favour of picking out something fresh.
But dietitians and nutritionists say that not only is frozen food cheaper and easier to prepare after a long day of work, but it can also be better for your health.
Speaking to FEMAIL, dietitian Lyndi Cohen revealed the foods that are worth buying frozen and why.
Speaking to FEMAIL, dietitian Lyndi Cohen (pictured) revealed the foods that are worth buying frozen and why
MIXED VEGETABLES
Why are fruit and vegetables often better frozen than fresh?
* Produce to be frozen is usually picked at its nutritional peak, and then ‘snap frozen’, which locks in the nutrients for a later date.
* In contrast to fresh produce, frozen fruit and vegetables don’t spend time in transit deteriorating, so they could actually be a better choice for your health.
After a day in the office, the idea of slaving away in the kitchen chopping vegetables can be a little less than tempting.
But there is no need to, if you have a bag of chopped frozen vegetables on hand.
‘Fresh vegetables are not necessarily healthier than frozen vegetables. Once harvested, vegetables start to lose nutrients and antioxidants,’ Lyndi told FEMAIL.
‘Frozen vegetables are mostly “snap frozen”, an almost instantaneous freezing process designed to preserve nutrients.
”This keeps the vegetables fresh.
‘When you defrost them at home, there’s been minimal loss of nutrients so even though the produce has been frozen, it’s incredibly fresh.’
Lyndi said berries (pictured) are high in antioxidants, which means they’re good for both your skin health and heart health. Frozen berries work just as well
MIXED BERRIES
Mixed berries are a delicious but pricey addition to any supermarket shopping basket.
But they needn’t set you back a fortune if you buy them frozen instead.
‘Fresh berries are great when they’re in season and a great way to support local farmers,’ Lyndi said.
‘But when berries aren’t in season, you can buy them frozen and they will be just as good for you.’
Lyndi said berries are high in antioxidants, which means they’re good for both your skin health and heart health.
There are some things that are better off being kept in your fridge (pictured), but Lyndi said vegetables are often ‘snap frozen’, which isn’t unhealthy
DICED ONIONS
For many, the prospect of chopping onions is not something they enjoy.
But Lyndi said that frozen diced onions are simple to cook with and often healthier than their fresh counterparts.
According to the dietitian, adding peas, corn and carrots to your meals is an incredibly easy way to add more vegetables to your diet – without blowing your budget (stock image)
PEAS, CORN AND CARROTS
What foods should you eat fresh not frozen?
* Salad greens
* Rice
* Herbs
* Milk
* Yoghurt
* Cucumbers
* Potatoes
According to the dietitian, adding peas, corn and carrots to your meals is an incredibly easy way to add more vegetables to your diet – without blowing your budget.
And the frozen variety is just as good for you as fresh options.
‘I love to add frozen peas, corn and carrot to make my five-minute healthy fried rice,’ Lyndi said.
‘Use one of the frozen pouches of rice also in the freezer and you’ve got a healthy meal in moments.’
TOMATOES
Lastly, Lyndi said tomatoes are a great option to buy frozen.
‘Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a nutrient that has been shown to be great for heart health,’ she said.
‘During processing, some nutrients can be lost but when you freeze foods you help to lock in the nutrient value.’
The dietitian recommends you buy your tomatoes in bulk and then load up on them throughout the year.
‘Another option is to use tinned tomatoes for a healthy hit of lycopene,’ Lyndi said.
For more information about Lyndi Cohen, visit her website here.
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