Fruit and veg – five reasons to start buying frozen

Nutritionist Rachael Anne Hill explains when you should choose frozen produce over fresh.…


Think fresh fruits and veg are always better than their frozen counterparts? Here nutrition expert Rachael Anne Hill gives you five reasons to think again.
1. Nutrients
OK, so nothing’s going to beat the taste or health benefits of home-grown produce but some shop-bought fruit and vegetables can be in transit for up to two weeks before arriving on the shelves, which can result in them losing up to 50% or more of many vital nutrients.  Add to that the time they may spend sitting in your veg rack before actually being consumed and nutrient levels will decline even further.  However, frozen fruit and vegetables are grown in peak conditions and frozen, usually within less than 90 minutes of being harvested.  This locks in essential vitamins and minerals making them nutritionally the same, if not better than, their fresh equivalents. 

2. Convenience
Not only has all the picking, podding, chopping, cleaning and dicing been done for you but frozen fruit or veg won’t liquidise itself into a pulp or grow a fur coat if not eaten within a few days.

3. Taste
For a fruit or vegetable to taste its best it needs to be harvested at just the right time and eaten as soon as possible afterwards.   Many fresh fruit and vegetables, however, are harvested before being allowed to fully ripen to extend shelf life which can make them tough and tasteless.  Freezing takes care of the shelf life side of things so produce can be allowed the extra time needed to develop a really full flavour.

4. Availability
Frozen fruit and vegetables are available year round making it easier to keep your diet interesting and varied.

5. Cost
Frozen fruit and vegetables are, on average, 23% cheaper than their fresh equivalents and tend to result in less waste as you can select the right amount for your needs and leave the rest for another day.  

Top five frozen fruit and vegetables no self-respecting freezer should be without: 

1. Mixed, summer fruits
Many frozen fruits are preserved in their natural state and contain no added sugars or preservatives.  Use them in smoothies or make a fast, low fat dessert by eating them with fresh or frozen yoghurt, sorbets or low fat ice cream.

2. Peas  
Add to sautéed cabbage or leeks, eat just as they are or boil up with some good stock then blend with fresh mint to make a really filling, hearty soup.

3. Sweetcorn
Add to stir fries, chowders and sprinkle over pizzas.

4. Spinach 
Great for adding to soups, pasta dishes, stews and casseroles.

5. Soy beans 
Add to risottos or eat hot with a little butter and salt as a pre-dinner snack.