We’re all looking for ways to save money at the grocery store. One common suggestion is to switch out your fresh produce for frozen, but is this as healthy?
You can rest easy, because we have some good news for your diet and wallet: frozen vegetables are, indeed, just as healthy as the fresh stuff. But how does freezing help veggies retain their nutrients?
Well, when they’re frozen, it’s typically done during the produce item’s peak ripeness. This means they’re at their most dense nutrient-wise.
While the first step in the freezing process—blanching—could cause some soluble nutrients like vitamin c and B to break down, flash freezing as a whole, however, locks all those other nutrients into place.
Since they’re equally as healthy as non-frozen produce, this money-saving hack is legitimate. According to the American Frozen Food Institute, 95% of frozen foods fit into American dietary guidelines and making the switch can save you over $1 per veggie purchased.
The only thing you need to look for when shopping is salt content. Opt for frozen produce that has no salt added. Avoid pre-seasoned options as they could contain more sodium than plain, and stay away from added sauces as well.
If you’ve been brainstorming ways to save money at the grocery store, the commonly-cited hack to purchase frozen veggies is legitimate.
