Getting a lot of fresh vegetables in your diet is important. But do you ever wonder which is better – fresh, frozen, or canned?
Fresh vs. Frozen: Fresh and frozen produce is nutritionally similar, according to research. In fact, certain frozen veggies, such as green beans, offer an advantage over limp, old green beans in your refrigerator!
Frozen vs. Canned: In general, frozen veggies are preferable than canned vegetables. When fresh veggies are blanched before freezing, some nutrients are lost, but not a lot. Produce collected too early, kept, and delivered thousands of miles has more nutrients than produce frozen at its prime. Freezing is also the most effective method for preserving vegetables grown in your own yard. Because producers must assure that there is no bacterial development within the container, canned veggies are cooked more than frozen vegetables. The additional cooking depletes nutrition. Canned alternatives, on the other hand, are less expensive, last longer, and are great for when you don't have time to buy, clean, trim, and cut fresh vegetables.
Frozen and canned veggies are frequently packed as soon as they are collected. This is when their nutritional levels are at their highest. Always examine the food labels/nutrition data before purchasing if you are watching your diet. Sugar or salt may be added to canned fruits and vegetables. Look for foods with the words "no salt added," "sodium-free," or "packed in own juice" on the label. You may also rinse them to eliminate any sugar or salt that has been added.
There is no such thing as a terrible option when it comes to fruits and vegetables. Any fruit or vegetable that you eat is a good decision for your health. So go ahead and start eating the 2.5 servings of veggies recommended by the American Dietary Guidelines, whether fresh, canned, or frozen!