My kids and I recently had 30 minutes to undertake a week's worth of grocery shopping before we had to be at baseball practice. This is not unusual. As we ran through the grocery store, each flying in a different direction to gather items on the list, my boys asked me an excellent question. They asked me why I don't buy frozen meals. ¶ We happened to be at Trader Joe's, a store full of frozen items that are labeled organic and appear to be very healthy. They reasoned that if I tossed seven frozen meals in the cart I'd be almost done shopping for the week. Shopping would have taken mere minutes instead of the hour it usually takes to find all the ingredients, not to mention the time spent unloading the groceries and cooking the meals. ¶ My boys asked a fair question, and one I am guessing most parents have asked themselves when they feel frazzled getting dinner on the table. ¶ Here is my simple answer.
A fresh meal generally supplies more . . .
Nutrients. Freezing has been shown to decrease the nutrient value of a meal. Frozen meals also generally provide small quantities of vegetables and fruits. Because vegetables and fruits provide many of the vitamins and minerals that are essential to our health, we want to guarantee we consume enough of them.
Hydration. Fresh fruits and vegetables have a higher water content and therefore offer natural hydration that is important for cellular health.
Healthful fats. There is a great disparity in the health value of various oils and fats. I am in control of which oils and fats are in a meal when I prepare it myself.
Enzymes. Enzymes help with digestion and nutrient absorption by breaking down the food into absorbable parts that our bodies can use. Enzymes have to be removed from fresh food for it to have a shelf life. It is believed that freezing lowers enzyme activity.
A frozen meal tends to deliver more . . .
Ingredients. A frozen meal often has a longer list of ingredients, some of which might not be whole foods. Many frozen meals have added gluten, preservatives, flavorings or chemicals, so be sure to read the labels.
Salt. Search the nutrition facts panel for the amount of sodium; frozen meals tend to have more sodium than is recommended.
Toxins. Storing foods in plastic, microwaving a meal in the package or adding chemical flavorings or colors can infuse unwelcome toxins into a meal.
Unhealthful fats. Many oils are processed in unhealthful ways such as through high-temperature mechanical pressing, or bleaching, filtering and deodorizing practices. Nutrients are lost in these extracting and refining processes, and you might find unwanted chemicals in the resulting products. To make matters worse, many vegetable oils are extracted from crops that have been sprayed with pesticides or that are grown from genetically modified seeds, both of which create some health concerns. So again, I prefer to be in charge of the oils I use in my cooking.
This information doesn't mean you should never serve a frozen meal. It doesn't mean you should feel guilty when you do. This is just a reminder to myself, and my children, why I work hard to get fresh, whole-food meals on the table. Spring and summer make eating fresh fruits and vegetables easy, as a variety of produce is in season and needs little doctoring to taste delicious.¶ On those nights that a frozen meal is the answer, add a side salad or a few raw vegetables to make up for the lower amounts of water, enzymes and micronutrients. Then sit down and enjoy dinner with your kids.
Seidenberg is co-founder of Nourish Schools, a D.C.-based nutrition education company. Look for her posts on the On Parenting blog: washingtonpost.com/onparenting.
FAQs
Nutrients. Freezing has been shown to decrease the nutrient value of a meal. Frozen meals also generally provide small quantities of vegetables and fruits. Because vegetables and fruits provide many of the vitamins and minerals that are essential to our health, we want to guarantee we consume enough of them.
Why is fresh food better than frozen food? ›
“The truth about fresh versus frozen is that both have the same nutrients, unless frozen produce has sauces or sugars added,” says Beal. If your favorite vegetable or fruit is out of season or is more affordable frozen, frozen is often the better choice.
Why is fresh food better? ›
Focusing on fresh ingredients not only promotes improved health, but also boosts nutrients and flavor profiles. Any type of processing such as canning, freezing or drying can deteriorate the quality of nutrients, fiber, flavor, and even natural color.
Why is fresh fruit better than frozen? ›
When you choose fresh fruit, it is often in season and more versatile than frozen fruit. Freezing may impact the texture of your fruit when it thaws, but fresh fruit retains its natural texture better. One benefit to fresh fruit is that you can usually find it when it's in season.
Which is more expensive and which is healthier for you fresh or frozen food? ›
While they agree that buying fresh food rather than the equivalent frozen version does not affect the healthiness of the food, they said shopping around between fresh and frozen sections for the cheapest price is your best bet on saving money.
Why avoid frozen food? ›
Excessive sodium, sugar, and saturated fats, harmful preservatives, nutrient loss, and unhealthy cooking methods are among the hidden dangers of frozen meals. Additionally, these meals can have implications for heart health, mental well-being, and portion control.
Is fresh meat healthier than frozen? ›
The verdict! There's nothing wrong with frozen food; in fact, properly freezing meat can help tenderise it. Frozen cuts can be just as tasty as their fresh versions and retain their nutritional value as long as the freezing and defrosting process has been carried correctly.
What are the benefits of eating fresh foods? ›
The Advantages of Using Fresh Ingredients
- Nutritional Value. Fresh ingredients are packed with nutrients, which can help enhance overall health and prevent chronic diseases. ...
- Better Taste. ...
- Environmentally Friendly. ...
- Supporting Local Farmers. ...
- Reducing Risks of Food Poisoning.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. They contain essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients that are essential for good health. In fact, research has shown that a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.
Are fresh ingredients healthier? ›
A Nutritious Option
While processed foods are often loaded with artificial preservatives, colors, and flavorings, fresh ingredients are free from these chemicals. This makes them much healthier for the body. Fresh ingredients also contain more vitamins and minerals than processed foods.
Some Vitamins Are Lost During Processing of Frozen Produce
However, some nutrients begin to break down when frozen produce is stored for more than a year ( 2 ). Certain nutrients are also lost during the blanching process. In fact, the greatest loss of nutrients occurs at this time.
Are fresh or frozen blueberries healthier? ›
The USDA data shows 52 different pesticide residues on a fresh blueberry vs. only 21 on a frozen blueberry. Although we at Northwest Wild Foods advocate eating wild or organic berries as much as possible, it's clear when not available, frozen berries are the best choice for maintaining optimal health.
Does freezing food destroy nutrients? ›
Nutrient Retention
The freezing process itself does not destroy nutrients. In meat and poultry products, there is little change in nutrient value during freezer storage.
Why does fresh taste better than frozen? ›
Water-soluble vitamins, like vitamin C and B may leach during the initial blanching process. Additionally, storing produce in the freezer for too long may cause freezer burn during which cell walls rupture. This cellular lysing ultimately leads to unappetizing changes in texture, color, and flavor.
Is frozen broccoli as good as fresh? ›
Yes, frozen vegetables, in their natural form — without additives — can be as healthy as fresh vegetables. Most frozen vegetables are frozen quickly after harvesting.
Is frozen pineapple as good as fresh? ›
One of the key advantages of frozen pineapple is that the fruits are harvested at their peak ripeness, ensuring the sweetest and most flavourful taste. Freezing allows us to preserve the natural sweetness and enhances the taste – ready for you to enjoy.
Why does fresh food taste better? ›
Fresh foods retain their natural enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, which not only provide health benefits but also play a vital role in flavor. When food is fresh, its cellular structure remains intact, preserving the authentic taste and crisp texture. In contrast, freezing food can rupture these cell walls.
Is Fresh Food better than processed food? ›
A healthy diet relies heavily on fresh ingredients. By choosing less processed meal options, you can enjoy dishes that are better for you and offer greater nutritional value. Fresh food also tends to have a better flavor profile than overly processed options.
Is it cheaper to eat fresh or frozen food? ›
Frozen vegetables are typically less expensive than their fresh alternatives. In addition to reduced cost, frozen vegetables can also contain more servings than the fresh option. This enables you to get more for your money.
What is not an advantage of freezing food? ›
Frozen Food: Disadvantages
One of the biggest and most known disadvantages of cooking frozen foods is that it has the potential to remove much of the flavor obtained when consuming the fresh version. In addition, many foods lose nutrients and vitamins once they have been frozen.
