Why frozen fruit and veggies may be better for you than fresh

You are probably aware that you should try to eat as many fruits and vegetables as you can for good health. But what if your favorite fruits are not in season, or the veggies on your Sunday shopping list will be eaten much later in the week?

In fact, research has revealed that frozen fruits and vegetables can have just as many vitamins -- and sometimes more -- as compared to fresh.

Commercially, frozen fruit and vegetables are fast-frozen within a few hours of picking. They are prepared so that they are ready for consumption (for example, they may be peeled or chopped). Often, they are packaged before being subjected to flash-freezing at low temperatures so that the fruit or vegetables water content crystallises instantly, stopping it from going soggy when thawed. This also prevents any damage to the structure of the fruit or vegetable and helps preserve its nutrient status.

The nutrient levels in frozen fruits may actually be higher because they are usually harvested at peak ripeness. Frozen fruits are picked, blanched, cooled (to prevent cooking) and frozen after harvest - all within a few hours of harvest. "This process helps maintain the nutrients in the food, whereas fresh produce typically loses some nutrients during transport to market

Buying frozen fruit helps reduce food waste because it can be stored and eaten at our convenience, whereas fresh fruit has a shorter window of time and must be consumed before it spoils

Frozen products are usually cheaper, and it saves you money in the long run because you have more time to eat it and don't have to worry about the food going bad. You can spend your sweet time!

Depending on the fruit, some may retain more nutrients when frozen, while others are fresher. The nutrient content in fruit peaks immediately after picking. Because the fruit freezes so quickly, it retains its nutritional value.

When you consider all the variables, the health benefits of fresh and frozen fruit are very similar. That said, there are still some differences that make each beneficial in a unique way.

Frozen fruit. Fruits are frozen, picked at the peak of ripeness, and flash frozen shortly thereafter to maintain optimal nutritional value. Frozen fruit usually keeps for several months and may be more economical than buying fresh fruit that spoils faster. With frozen fruit, you can take out as much as you need and save the rest for another use.

Frozen fruit also has benefits because it is already prepared for you. It is usually washed and sliced for your convenience. This can save you time in preparing dishes that contain fruit.

Likewise, frozen fruit is great for adding to yogurt and smoothies. For example, just grab a handful of sliced strawberries and pour them into your yogurt bowl or blender and enjoy your snack.