Even though grocery shopping can be a chore, who doesn’t love strolling around the fresh produce section? The vibrant colors and scents are so incredibly enticing, it makes it difficult to avoid. Fresh fruits and vegetables in the fridge look delectable and sweet, but after a couple of days, they appear mushy and brown. You can make an effort to add these into smoothies so that they don’t go to waste, but it's not the same. What are the nutritional differences between frozen fruit vs fresh fruit and vegetables?
The Benefits of Frozen Fruit vs Fresh Fruit & Vegetables
Frozen fruits and vegetables seem so easy and stress-free. They seem to taste the same and can sit in your freezer for weeks and even months without going bad, or losing flavor. It almost seems too easy and makes you wonder whether they are as nutritious and vitamin-packed as the fresh colorful produce you see sitting on the shelves.
Nutritional Differences - Frozen Fruit vs Fresh Fruit
Surprisingly, there isn’t much of a difference between the two. Frozen or fresh, both equally as nutritious and still sweet. In fact, evidence indicates that freezing fruits and vegetables can actually help preserve nutrients that fresh produce loses over time on the shelves.
Fruits and vegetables intended to be frozen are usually picked at peak ripeness, in order for them to accumulate all the nutrients possible before processing, packaging, and freezing.
Frozen Fruit vs Frozen Vegetables
Frozen fruits and vegetables differ due to the process that vegetables undergo before packaging.
Vegetables undergo blanching before the freezing process, which means they are placed in boiling water for a few minutes to prevent loss of flavor and color, and kill bacteria. This results in frozen vegetables having significantly fewer antioxidants and B and C vitamins, although once frozen, nutrient levels remain stable.
Fruits do not undergo the blanching process; therefore, their nutrient contents remain constant throughout the whole process, and while frozen.
So what's better, frozen fruit vs fresh fruit? Fresh produce is usually picked before it is ripe so that they are able to survive the transportation process.
As these fruits and veggies are left to ripen on the shelves, oxygen begins to degrade their nutritional value, and they are left with fewer vitamins and antioxidants than they would normally have if picked at peak ripeness. Ultimately, there's not a significant nutritional difference between the two, although freezing produce can help lock in nutrients for several months.
Frozen fruit vs fresh fruit? With SmoothieBox, it is easy to get the best of both worlds. Learn How »
SmoothieBox Smoothie Mixes provide frozen fruits and vegetables but give you the opportunity to customize your smoothies with fresh ingredients. So when it comes to frozen fruit vs fresh fruit, you can choose both! Regardless of what form they come in, eating fruits and vegetables should be an important part of your everyday routine. No matter what, they will always give you the nutrients you need to live as the healthiest version of yourself.
References
Are Frozen Fruits and Vegetables as Healthy as Fresh? (2018, June 25).
Brown, M. J. (2017, June 15). Fresh vs Frozen Fruit and Vegetables - Which Are Healthier?
Drayer, L. (2019, May 31). Why frozen fruit and veggies may be better for you than fresh