So, many of my blog posts, boast about the benefits of fruits and vegetables. How many of you have bought that bag of grapes, only to look at them a week later languishing in the refrigerator?? Or the new color of produce brown? Brown, apples, brown bananas, brown lettuce, brown carrots—just brown! Rot!! Need I say more? How about money, money, money?? And right now, we could all use a little more of that! So, how does this apply to frozen food?
Well, let’s talk frozen! First, what are frozen fruits and vegetables? The frozen counterparts we eat are always picked at the very peak of their ripeness and often frozen the same day as they are picked. This helps them retain their nutrient value. When fruits and veggies are picked, they began to degrade almost immediately and start to lose their nutrients. Freezing them suddenly, stops them in time and allows them to retain their nutrients. Sometimes, freezing them actually causes an increase in the vitamins and minerals they provide. However, fresh fruits and vegetables are picked before they are ripe, and sometimes take several weeks to reach your grocery store, allowing them to ripen along the way. The problem with this ripening, is that they are not outside to absorb the healthy nutrients we expect! Frozen, fruits and vegetables also means that they are prepared to use, which means that there is no vegetable waste when you are buying or paying by the pound. And that there is less preparing them to cook!
As far as pricing goes, a quick look at Walmart locally today shows that 11 oz of fresh blueberries are $3.96 and frozen are $2.58 for 16 oz (1lb). Broccoli is $2.32 for a pound of fresh and $2.24 for 2 pounds of frozen! Double!
A couple things on canned goods, they are processed. Which means sugar or salt are usually added to help maintain the freshness. They are more expensive in terms of cost because of the canning process itself. Remember, you want to eat as close to the source as possible.
Hopefully, you have learned something about frozen vegetables and why purchasing them may make good “cents” to you! They are a healthy option and can be budget friendly! And now you are, frozen veggie wise!
Sources: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/are-frozen-vegetables-healthy. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-benefits-of-flash-frozen-produce/ https://www.health.com/nutrition/reasons-nutritionist-buys-frozen-fruits-veggieshttps://www.nib.com.au/the-checkup/fresh-vs-frozen-vegetables
Becoming Wellness Wise 