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Hi Jessica,
Now that the weather is getting cold, I was wondering if it’s healthier to buy fresh or frozen vegetables?
Thanks,
Julia
Dear Julia,
I’ve often wondered that myself when I walk down the produce aisle and it seems that most of the fruits and vegetables have been shipped from across the country or overseas.
From my research, I found that the answer to this question is largely dependent on whether the fresh produce is in-season, how far it has been shipped, and how long it’s been sitting on the store shelf. Fresh, local produce picked at peak ripeness is ideal. However, this isn’t always an option. When the cold months approach, much of our food is transported long distances and is picked unripe.
Gene Lester, Ph.D., a plant physiologist at the USDA Agricultural Research Center feels that frozen vegetables may be healthier than some of the fresh produce sold in stores because of when they are frozen. Frozen produce is processed at peak ripeness and nutrition. They are usually processed within hours of being harvested so nutrients are locked in. On the other hand, fresh, out-of-season produce is typically picked before it is ripe, giving it less time to develop its vitamins and minerals. Additionally, after produce is picked, it starts to lose some of its nutritional value due to exposure to air and light.
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The Food and Drug Administration considers frozen produce nutritionally comparable to fresh produce, allowing the frozen product to be labeled as healthy. A study performed by the Austrian Consumers Association compared the nutritional value of frozen vegetables with imported fresh vegetables during the winter. They found that the vitamin content of frozen peas, cauliflower, beans, sweet corn and carrots was higher than the imported fresh vegetables. Additionally, a similar study performed by an Australian reporter, Dr. Andrew Rochford, found that the vitamin and mineral content of the fresh and frozen vegetables was nearly comparable.
In summary, it’s great to buy local and fresh produce when it’s in-season. But when it’s out of season, frozen is a great alternative. Keep in mind that frozen produce is best eaten within a few months because it can also suffer from prolonged storage. Overall, everyone agrees that the main goal is to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into our diet, regardless of whether they are fresh or frozen.
Hope this was helpful,
Jessica
In her free time, Jessica enjoys researching food and healthy eating. If you have a food-related question that you would like answered in the journal, please email her at Jessica_L_Tucker@yahoo.com
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