According to 60 Million consumers, there are certain vegetables that are better to buy frozen than fresh every day!
Choosing vegetables is not always an easy thing. And for good reason, consumers want fresh products that are good for their health at all costs. According to 60 Million consumers, there are some who Better to choose fresh.
A mistaken belief
According to a study carried out in 2023 by the CSA institute for Interfel and FranceAgriMer, 93% of French people consider fresh vegetables to be the best option. But that’s not really what a recent report from 60 Million Consumers revealed.
The association has clearly called this belief into question. And it’s a real surprise for everyone. It must be said that some frozen vegetables might actually be better for your health than those that stay fresh.
The idea that fresh vegetables are superior is based on a misconception that many people may have. On the other hand, know that this perception does not always hold up in reality.
Between harvesting, transport, storage and display on shelves, fresh vegetables suffer significant losses of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C, for example, is particularly sensitive to oxygen and light.
In just a few days, its concentration can decrease significantly. On the other hand, frozen vegetables follow a very different process. They are harvested when ripe, blanched to eliminate microorganisms, then frozen in a very short period of time.
These vegetables are best frozen
Although this step results in a slight initial loss of water-soluble vitamins, freezing allows most of the nutrients to be retained over an extended period. 60 Million Consumers has revealed three frozen vegetables that outperform their fresh counterparts in terms of nutritional quality.
This is the case with frozen green beans. The latter are distinguished by a higher content of vitamins C and B9, essential nutrients for the immune system and energy production. Their quality is worth thanks to rapid freezing after harvest.
This limits losses due to exposure to air and light. This is also the case for frozen carrots, which have an excellent concentration of vitamin A and fiber. These elements are very important for the health of the skin, eyes and digestive system.
Finally, know that frozen peas are a gold mine of vitamins C and B9, provided they are properly stored. These little vegetables also contain a good dose of vegetable proteins, ideal for balanced diets.
A cooking method to follow
To take full advantage of the benefits of frozen vegetables, it is very important to choose plain products, without sauce or seasoning. Prepared versions, often enriched with salt, fats or additives, do not have the same advantages.
Indeed, you must carefully read the list of ingredients and favor products containing little or no added salt. The cooking method also plays a very important role. It is better to opt for ae cooking with steam or in a small quantity of water to limit nutritional losses.
Please note that defrosting vegetables before cooking is not necessary. In fact, it can even lead to unnecessary loss of water-soluble vitamins. Fresh vegetables are clearly unbeatable when picked when ripe and consumed quickly.
Some, like the spinach, outperform their frozen versions in terms of vitamin C, with a concentration that can be up to 40% higher. However, out of season or after a long journey, their nutritional quality can drop drastically. So you have to be careful!
Graduated from a major journalism school and I also have a diploma in aperitif preparation. I love writing and especially for Tuxboard, the team is really great and the subjects are very varied even if I prefer to write about the media and also fashion trends!
