The frozen food aisle at the supermarket has gotten a bad rap over the years as many shoppers assume that fresh is best.
But leading diet experts say we’re doing it all wrong and that not many of us are taking advantage of the frozen food section.
It’s not just fruit and vegetables that are recommended. According to leading nutritionist and best-selling author Rhiannon Lambert, even meat and fish can be better if they’re frozen.
“Fresh meat loses nutrients over time,” says Lambert, who runs a private nutrition clinic in Harley Street, London.
A leading nutritionist has recommended buying frozen meat and fish to get maximum nutritional benefits.
“But freezing or buying frozen meat helps preserve both nutrients and flavor.”
She adds that selecting beef or chicken from the freezer aisle can help you avoid the additives and preservatives that some fresh meats contain to keep them edible longer.
Meanwhile, freezing fish can help its heart-healthy fatty acids, such as omega-3s, stay active longer.
Lambert says: “A recent study found that most of the omega-3 present in fish remains nutritionally available even after three months of freezing.”
Other foods that can be frozen under super-boosted conditions include broccoli, sweet corn and edamame beans, according to Lambert.
‘Frozen broccoli often contains more riboflavin (vitamin B2) than its fresh counterpart, which is essential for digestive health and brain function.
‘Putting it in the freezer shortly after harvest helps retain essential vitamins and antioxidants, preserving them for longer.’
Nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert is the author of the bestselling diet book Re-Nourish: A Simple Way to Eat Well.
Meanwhile, frozen peas have about the same level of vital nutrients, such as vitamin C, as fresh ones, she says. But if you’re a fan of East Asian edamame beans, you’re better off opting for frozen.
“Edamame is most beneficial if you buy it frozen,” Lambert says, adding that you also get the benefits of soy, which some studies have shown may help reduce premenopausal or menopausal symptoms in women.
Fresh spinach not only spoils quickly, but also loses nutrients after a few days. ‘Buying it frozen keeps it fresh. ‘Vitamin C and folate remain intact for longer, preserving their nutritional value for months.’
When sweet corn is frozen, the plant is at its “peak,” preserving its natural sweetness and nutrient levels, Lambert says.
‘Frozen corn contains more vitamin C than fresh corn, and fresh sweet corn also loses up to 50 percent of its sugar content within 12 hours of being harvested, making frozen often a much tastier option.’
Meanwhile, frozen peas have roughly the same level of vital nutrients, such as vitamin C, as fresh ones, according to Harley Street nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert.
Lambert’s recommendations come after a new survey of 2,000 Britons found that 84 percent of shoppers wrongly assume that fresh food is healthier than frozen food.
According to a survey conducted by Iceland Foods, three-quarters of adults believe that fresh fruits and vegetables are healthier than frozen ones.
Speaking about the findings, Ms Lambert said: ‘The research confirms that there is a huge gap between consumer perceptions and the reality of the quality of frozen foods.
We need to continue to push and commit to raising awareness about these benefits to empower people to make better-informed decisions for themselves and their families.
“I’ve been advocating the benefits of frozen foods for years, but I don’t think the idea that frozen foods can be more nutritious than fresh foods is yet mainstream and we need to do more to spread this message.”