fresh vs frozen veggies

[sarah]

I’ve read in a lot of places that buying frozen vegetables is virtually as healthy as eating fresh ones, but I taste a notable difference between the two.

Have I been reading false information or is the nutrition from frozen veggies pretty much the same as the fresh stuff you buy in the grocery store?

I only ask since frozen is generally a lot cheaper than fresh, and I sometimes only have time to shop once every two weeks so frozen helps me to be able to keep up the veggie levels without having to make time to get to the store.

[antoniojones1968]

even the fresh stuff would be losing nutrients because it has been picked and sitting in the delivery truck/store for however many days.

Good point! I guess, in theory, if you want the very best nutrition, then buy fruits and vegetables that are grown locally from farmers' markets or from the farms themselves (or at the grocery store if they sell local), and buy everything else frozen.

That will mean that you'll always get the maximum amount of benefit from every blueberry or green bean you eat.

[suzie]

As for nutrition, I once heard that as soon as you pick the fruit/veggie it's starts losing nutrients right away but I don't know the validity of that. If that is true, then even the fresh stuff would be losing nutrients because it has been picked and sitting in the delivery truck/store for however many days.

I heard that, too. The trick is to make sure that you're buying frozen veggies from a company that freezes them within a very short time after picking them. If they wait a long time, then their nutrient value will have shrunken.

[tankini]

The trick is to make sure that you're buying frozen veggies from a company that freezes them within a very short time after picking them.

How do you know which companies do this? Maybe the more expensive ones? Also what is the time frame window from picking to freezing?

[tara]

How do you know which companies do this? Maybe the more expensive ones? Also what is the time frame window from picking to freezing?

Most of the ones that do this actually advertise it on their websites or on their packaging because it's something they can really brag about. That makes it easier to spot the good ones from the potentially-not-good ones.

[Paplo]

I find that frozen veggies taste very bland if you just boil or steam them when you compare the flavor of fresh veggies.

Is there any way to spruce them up without adding a ton of calories, too?

[1000kw]

I find that frozen veggies taste very bland if you just boil or steam them when you compare the flavor of fresh veggies.

Is there any way to spruce them up without adding a ton of calories, too?

Easy! All you need to do is add herbs and spices. I like to stir fry them up and add whatever spice comes to mind. For mushrooms, I like nutmeg, for example. I've started using things like curcuma and curries because of their bold flavors and great health benefits. I also like to heat up frozen veggies and then just add tomatoes in a pan with fresh or dry basil.

I also learned on this forum that a great way to save calories and fats is to stir fry in a low sodium chicken or veggie stock instead of using oil!