Learn When It’s Smarter To Freeze Food, Then To Buy It Fresh

Frozen foods may save you time and more money than you think. Here are some reason how that’s possible. Check out the article we found over at Today.com.

“Fresh is best.” That’s the mantra we’re taught, but have you ever put a perfectly ripe mango in your fridge only to find it looking shriveled days later?

Yet, if you’d chopped and frozen that mango, you could eat it in its perfect state at any time — and that’s just one benefit of frozen foods. They also last longer and cost less.

Are frozen fruits and veggies as healthy as the fresh kind?

According to the FDA, frozen produce packs the same nutrients. Often, they’re superior in nutritional value and flavor since crops are harvested at the height of freshness and frozen quickly to seal in nutrients and taste.

In comparison, “fresh” fruits and vegetables are harvested before they reach peak nutritional value and then ripen “off the vine.” They often travel long distances, exposing them to light and heat, which diminishes their nutrient value. Once they reach the store, they may spend a while in the produce aisle, before finding their way to your fridge.

How long can food stay in the freezer?

If you still have a piece of your wedding cake in the freezer and you just celebrated your tenth anniversary — it’s time to toss it! (Or at least, don’t eat it.)

Freezing perishable foods is a great way to preserve them, but they won’t stay fresh forever. Meats can remain in the freezer from 3 to 12 months, depending on the cut. Poultry (chicken and turkey) can last up to a year if whole, and 2 to 3 months if ground. Cheese and butter can be frozen for 6 months. (Warning: cottage and ricotta cheeses do not freeze well.)

Over many months, nutrients in frozen vegetables inevitably degrade. Eat them soon after purchase when possible.

The bottom line

Since one-third of us are not meeting our fruit and veggie needs —and missing out on essential nutrients — why not grab your sweater and stroll through the frozen food aisle? You’ll find an assortment of healthy produce, as well as tasty meals and side dishes. Best of all, a visit to this aisle saves you time and money.

Next Article: How To Use Your Frozen Produce In Everyday Cooking

Read Full Article: 6 reasons frozen foods save time and money (and pack more nutrients!)