Fresh Isn’t Always Best
By: Janelle De Castro, RDN
What comes to mind when you think of fruits and vegetables? Is it a freezer full of frozen carrots or blueberries? Or is it a fresh bowl of salad and a platter of sliced fruit? Most likely, many people think of the latter. And while it’s common to think that fresh produce has a higher nutritional value than frozen produce, this isn’t exactly true. It also may be more convenient and environmentally/budget friendly to shop for the frozen alternative. But which is better for you? Let’s discuss!
NUTRITIVE VALUE
Frozen fruits and vegetables are usually picked during peak harvest and stored, allowing them to retain greater nutrient content while they’re frozen for long periods of time due to slowed metabolism. This allows you to get the same amount of nutrients at the point of consumption as you would when the produce was freshly picked, compared to fresh produce, which respire until the point of cooking. This means their “cellular metabolic processes continue to work and use up the vitamins and minerals already present in the fruit or vegetable while it’s in storage” (The Food Medic, 2021). Because the nutritional value of fresh produce can decrease over time, it may be more beneficial to shop frozen.
EFFECT ON YOUR WALLET + THE ENVIRONMENT
Eating frozen produce can ultimately be more affordable and convenient.
According to AARP, frozen produce is often much less expensive than their fresh counterparts which can make them a lot more accessible and budget friendly for many people. For example, “Frozen organic spinach costs about 50 cents less than fresh organic spinach — for twice the volume” (UC Davis, 2019). You get more product, for less dollars! Who doesn’t want that?
Opting for frozen produce can also be more convenient. If you live a fast paced and busy lifestyle, throwing together a smoothie with frozen spinach and berries could be the best option for you to quickly get in those greens and nutrients! According to a recent study conducted by the Frozen Food Foundation, “people who buy frozen produce consume more produce overall than those who don't”. Additionally, frozen produce are usually prewashed and precut, making preparing them extra quick and easy. This convenience makes it more likely that you will get in your 5 servings a day!
Let’s be honest, I think we’ve all been hopeful to eat that bag of spinach or box of strawberries only to see it wilted and molded within a week. It’s okay, the intention was there! It is estimated that 1⁄3 of fresh produce goes to waste each year worldwide, which has huge economic, environmental and social costs. Because of societal standards of “perfect foods”, it’s likely that grocery stores will take “imperfect” produce off the shelves, contributing to a larger carbon footprint. So it may be
more sustainable for you and the environment to opt for frozen versions, as they will last longer and produce less food waste.
CONCLUSION
There are many components that play a role in choosing foods that are best for you, such as personal preferences and environmental/social factors. Do you prefer shopping at local farmer’s markets for fresh produce? Or do you prefer the cost and time benefits that eating frozen produce has to offer? With every individual circumstance, it is recommended to get a balance of both in your diet to ensure you are getting the nutrients you need. Remember, just because it’s fresh doesn’t mean it’s always best!
References
https://thefoodmedic.co.uk/2021/12/opening-the-lid-on-fresh-frozen-and-canned-fruits-and-veg etables/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fresh-vs-frozen-fruit-and-vegetables#TOC_TITLE_HDR_7h ttps://thefoodmedic.co.uk/2021/09/the-benefits-of-seasonal-eating/ https://www.ucdavis.edu/food/news/why-is-one-third-of-food-wasted-worldwide https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2017/are-frozen-vegetables-fruits-better-than-f resh-fd.html
