This post brought to you by Frozen Food Foundation. All opinions are 100% mine.
When we cook, we want to use the best ingredients, and it turns out that frozen foods are often the best option, because veggies and fruits are flash frozen soon after being picked. Their nutritional value can be as good as, if not better than, their fresh counterparts which have been in transit. Frozen fruits and vegetables are picked and frozen when their ripeness is at its peak, and frozen prepared meals that contain frozen fruits and vegetables as a side dish often offer a great way to meet your recommended daily intakes.
A study conduced by the Frozen Food Foundation and University of Georgia shows that the eight most commonly purchases frozen fruits and vegetables- blueberries, strawberries, broccoli, green beans, corn, spinach, cauliflower and green peas- the nutritional value (namely the amounts of Vitamins A, C and folate) is greater than that of fresh-stored produce, owing to nutrient degradation as a result of long storage time. Americans tend to store perishable fruits and vegetables for up to five days. Freezing is simply nature’s pause button.
I sampled seven brands that offer frozen food options that contain frozen produce: Healthy Choice 100% Natural Portabella Marsala Pasta, Marie Callender’s Chicken Parmagiana (with broccoli and carrots), Birds Eye Steamers Broccoli Cuts, Buitoni, Lean Pockets Chicken Parmesan, Lean Cuisine, and Green Giant Fresh Frozen Whole Green Beans.
I pretty much always buy frozen vegetables. Because they are frozen fresh, I never worry that the nutritional value isn’t there, so my freezer is stocked with lots of frozen vegetables. Ready to heat and eat frozen meals are always convenient, especially on days I have a lot to do, and the ones I tried above all tasted terrific (especially the Buitoni Four Cheese Ravioli, yum!!!)
Do you buy frozen fruits and vegetables for your family? How about prepared meals with frozen produce? It may be time to head back down the frozen food aisle! You can follow the Frozen Food Foundation Facebook and Frozen Food Foundation Twitter to learn more.
We often purchase frozen fruits to use in smoothies and baking, as well as frozen vegetables to have on hand for recipes and when we’re short on time. They offer a ton of convenience and it’s great to know we aren’t skimping on nutrition.
I always have frozen veggies in my fridge as well as fruit, especially strawberries because we use them in just about every kind of smootie we make.
Frozen veg and fruits are always stocked in my freezer. This time of year I have berries galore as they are pricey right now. I make sure to always have broccoli and peas as well.