Long ago I discovered the many advantages of frozen foods for my family. Less waste, convenience and cost make frozen a logical choice at the supermarket.
The subject of "fresh" vs. "frozen" has caused a few arguments but the facts are solid, freezing is the best known means of food preservation. Freezing preserves the nutritional value, freshness, flavor and color of foods. Unless you are pulling it from your garden or purchasing it at a local farmers market, it's hard to find better nutritional value.
You might say that frozen is fresher than "fresh."
Research shows that frozen products often contain more nutrients than fresh foods. That's because produce destined for your grocery store is harvested at the height of ripeness and nutrient value. It is rushed to nearby freezing plants for immediate processing which preserves the nutrient content.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are often gathered in an immature or "unripened" state and allowed to ripen "off the vine" this can rob the produce of it's nutrient value. Further, because "fresh" products are frequently transported long distances and stored in warehouses before they are placed on your grocery or supermarket shelves, they have often lost nutrients and vitamins. Nutrient depletion even continues while produce is stored in your refrigerator. Unless vegetables and fruits are truly "garden fresh," frozen is a better buy nutritionally.
Scientists at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation analyzed 51 different frozen foods regularly found in grocery stores and supermarkets. Their research proved that foods retain their nutritional value during freezing. Substantial and highly beneficial amounts of no less than 21 essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients were found in these products.
Freezing, per se, does not injure vitamins. Air exposure is much more destructive, particularly to volatile nutrients such as vitamin C and thiamine. For example, a four-ounce serving of frozen Florida orange juice contains nearly the whole amount of the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamin C as well as folic acid, thiamine, potassium and other essential nutrients.
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