Frozen veggies

Ice_Arrows
Ice_Arrows Posts: 46 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Are they really just as nutritious as the fresh variety? Is there any way to cook them other than stir fry or soup?

The fresh vegetables where I live can get kind of expensive, 4 dollars for a small head of broccoli or a cauliflower and a 300g pepper(stem and seeds still attached) in the fridge cost me almost 3 for an example. I love them all and could easily devour them in just a few days but that would add up quick for someone living on their own with not that great of a job.

Sometimes they will go on sale but mostly I find myself buying the cheaper bags of frozen veggies and hoping they're as good for you as some people claim.
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Replies

  • Chimis_Siq
    Chimis_Siq Posts: 849 Member
    Ive heard and read that frozen veggies are just as good because they are picked at the point where they are picked at the peak of ripeness and freeze them so you get all the nutrients. :)

    Eat away! :)
  • fannyfrost
    fannyfrost Posts: 756 Member
    Everything I have read says that frozen are just you as good. Try the steamfresh kind that you put the bag in the microwave they come out great. you can get them seasoned or plain. I stay away from the sauce because that can add lots of calories.

    I often nuke my frozen veggies in a bowl. just plain. peas are perfect that way.I will add tomato sauce for flavor if needed.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Everything I have read says that frozen are just you as good. Try the steamfresh kind that you put the bag in the microwave they come out great. you can get them seasoned or plain. I stay away from the sauce because that can add lots of calories.

    I often nuke my frozen veggies in a bowl. just plain. peas are perfect that way.I will add tomato sauce for flavor if needed.

    this.

    I only add S/P and butter to mine- I LOL at "serving" sizes on those steamables- it should just say "1 bag = 1 serving"
  • Ice_Arrows
    Ice_Arrows Posts: 46 Member
    Thanks for the info everyone =)

    Never tried them microwaved yet. It sounds interesting will have to try it soon =D

    And yes, those steamables are definitely considered one serving at my place as well :laugh:
  • MysteriousMerlin
    MysteriousMerlin Posts: 2,270 Member
    Love frozen veggies. Great healthy side dish for a speedy dinner.
  • mytabouly
    mytabouly Posts: 66 Member
    I highly recommend this youtube video

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjsOOT347cA

    In short, frozen might be even better than fresh...
  • localised
    localised Posts: 25
    some studies have shown that produce high in vitamins c & b can lose some nutrients when frozen.

    on the other hand, fresh produce begins to lose nutrients as soon as it's plucked off its vine/tree/whatever so it's a toss-up i think. i go with frozen because it's more compact and i don't need to worry about eating everything before it spoils. :)
  • Hell_Flower
    Hell_Flower Posts: 348 Member
    They are just as good, but check the back of the bags for confirmation.

    I love to steam veggies, and I know their is evidence to the contrary but I don't use the microwave to nuke them because I worry they will lose nutritional value (it's a bit of a tic).

    But here's advice to help microwave them anyway!

    http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/21/health/upwave-microwaving-food/

    But where I live the steamfresh microwave veggies are really expensive - kg for kg, it's cheaper to buy fresh.
  • KhatLady
    KhatLady Posts: 51 Member
    Are they really just as nutritious as the fresh variety? Is there any way to cook them other than stir fry or soup?

    Ugh, I am a serious frozen veggie junkie. I have had days where all I want to do is nuke a whole bag of cauliflower and broccoli or Brussels sprouts and just go to TOWN on them. I almost always microwave frozen veggies and they're just dandy by me.

    Some frozen veggies can also roast well without much if any nutritional loss. That is to say that roasting in general doesn't impact the nutritional value, but some frozen veggies would probably turn to mush. Firmer veggies are better. Corn roasts just fine frozen or fresh. Frozen zucchini, on the other hand, would probably be goo where fresh holds up better. Ditto with grilling.

    I often use frozen spinach {thawed and drained} in baked dishes as well as soups.

    And you can always do assorted frozen veggies in smoothies if we aren't talking strictly serving things up hot.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member


    But where I live the steamfresh microwave veggies are really expensive - kg for kg, it's cheaper to buy fresh.

    Yeah, it's more expensive than just buying plain frozen veggies, so I stock up when they are on sale. Just so much easier to steam in the bag though than having to take them out and put them in a bowl... they never turn out as good that way for some reason.
  • weightliftingdiva
    weightliftingdiva Posts: 522 Member
    I love bags of plain frozen vegetables. You can get almost anything - although I do find freezing changes texture. That is I prefer the texture of fresh spinach to frozen or fresh steamed broccoli to frozen. But they're still a God-send, and very cheap and easy to use.
  • gaelicstorm26
    gaelicstorm26 Posts: 589 Member
    We live in a more northern climate so buying fresh produce isn't cost effective year-round. There are some things that I enjoy better when cooked from fresh (carrots, broccoli, onions, potatoes). Other things don't matter to me (peas, corn, green beans). We have a healthy amount of frozen veg around at all times. It really makes meal prep much easier.
  • time4change2k14
    time4change2k14 Posts: 20
    One of my favourite snacks is steamed frozen broccoli with a bit of olive oil, garlic and a pinch of salt.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    on the other hand, fresh produce begins to lose nutrients as soon as it's plucked off its vine/tree/whatever so it's a toss-up i think. i go with frozen because it's more compact and i don't need to worry about eating everything before it spoils. :)

    This. In season I tend to prefer fresh, but in the winter or for things they have to bring in from far away anyway or for items you are going to have sitting in your refrigerator for days, frozen may be even better. It kind of depends on how you are using them, but for a lot of stuff frozen tastes just as good too. Also, you don't have to worry about it going bad.
  • ashenriver
    ashenriver Posts: 498 Member
    I keep a stock in my freezer. There is a lot less prep work with frozen veggies. But some do freeze better then others.
    I usually just steam it, sometimes make fajitas, or throw it into soup, stir fry, pasta sauce, etc.

    I don't have a microwave so its stove top or oven cooking for me.
  • stevensdaniel717
    stevensdaniel717 Posts: 5
    According to mens health magazine frozen vegetables are better than fresh from the store because they are blast frozen immediately. It causes small ice crystals that protect the plants cells from breaking down keeping all of its nutrients.
  • KylaDenay
    KylaDenay Posts: 1,585 Member
    Frozen veggies are great for you. I like to roast my frozen veggies just like I do fresh with coconut oil, sea salt and pepper. Still yummy. Sometimes i'll eat up the mixed frozen veggies, add some butter and then toss it with rice and seasoned ground turkey. Another way I eat them is with my roasted chicken. I toss a bunch of different frozen veggies like potatoes, brussels, baby carrots, broccoli and put it in the pan with the chicken to roast in the oven. It gives the frozen veggies tons of flavor from the chicken and spices.
  • brittanylyse
    brittanylyse Posts: 5 Member
    Bahah...I feel the SAME way, girl! 3 servings = 1 of my servings ;) Gotta love being fit & healthy!
  • MaryJane_8810002
    MaryJane_8810002 Posts: 2,082 Member
    Frozen vegetables are just as good as fresh ones, some say even fresher because they are usually flash frozen after being picked. This applies to the vegetables that do not have additives.
  • KylaDenay
    KylaDenay Posts: 1,585 Member
    Frozen veggies are great for you. I like to roast my frozen veggies just like I do fresh with coconut oil, sea salt and pepper. Still yummy. Sometimes i'll eat up the mixed frozen veggies, add some butter and then toss it with rice and seasoned ground turkey. Another way I eat them is with my roasted chicken. I toss a bunch of different frozen veggies like potatoes, brussels, baby carrots, broccoli and put it in the pan with the chicken to roast in the oven. It gives the frozen veggies tons of flavor from the chicken and spices.

    Edit: Wanted to add that I think it is a great money savor to buy frozen veggies. They go a long way and don't go bad fast like other veggies.
  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,064 Member
    Yes because they are frozen at their peak.
  • GameGirl777
    GameGirl777 Posts: 60 Member
    Agreed!! I eat a bag of frozen veggies everyday. Best way to cook is to microwave or stovetop with a couple tablespoons of water.

    Great post! Glad to see so many people love veggies! :heart:
  • RunnerStephe
    RunnerStephe Posts: 2,195
    Everything I have read says that frozen are just you as good. Try the steamfresh kind that you put the bag in the microwave they come out great. you can get them seasoned or plain. I stay away from the sauce because that can add lots of calories.

    I often nuke my frozen veggies in a bowl. just plain. peas are perfect that way.I will add tomato sauce for flavor if needed.

    Microwave kills the nutrients. Always steam!
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Everything I have read says that frozen are just you as good. Try the steamfresh kind that you put the bag in the microwave they come out great. you can get them seasoned or plain. I stay away from the sauce because that can add lots of calories.

    I often nuke my frozen veggies in a bowl. just plain. peas are perfect that way.I will add tomato sauce for flavor if needed.

    Microwave kills the nutrients. Always steam!

    do you have some science to back that up???

    Because- that's pretty much what nuking them does- steams them- it just does it faster.
  • Chickee8586
    Chickee8586 Posts: 155 Member
    Bahah...I feel the SAME way, girl! 3 servings = 1 of my servings ;) Gotta love being fit & healthy!

    Oh Thank God! I thought I was the only one that ate more than 1 "serving" of them. Ha! That settles my mind of trying to get down to that suggested serving size. Nope. Not for me!
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Bahah...I feel the SAME way, girl! 3 servings = 1 of my servings ;) Gotta love being fit & healthy!

    Oh Thank God! I thought I was the only one that ate more than 1 "serving" of them. Ha! That settles my mind of trying to get down to that suggested serving size. Nope. Not for me!

    nope-
    6 minutes in the microwave.
    dump contents in bowl.
    salt
    pepper
    1/2 tablespoon of butter

    consume. That's my pre-curser to dinner. or with dinner.

    I often just eat them alone when I'm hungry.

    I effing love california blend.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Yes because they are frozen at their peak.

    This esp for out of season veggies that are not local.

    If the veggies are not local they are picked before they are ripe...ripen (often over ripen) in the truck coming to the warehouse for the store, then still ripen from the warehouse to the actual store.

    (My family is in transportation) so I know for a fact it takes at least 10 days for items to get picked, packed, shipped to warehouse then to store for consumption.

    Frozen, picked at peak trucked to a nearby factory frozen that day.

    Unless I get it at a farmers market or I have grown it...most of my veggies are frozen...
  • Ice_Arrows
    Ice_Arrows Posts: 46 Member
    Wow so many suggestions on rep and they all sound great :smile:

    Nice to know that they are just as good, or if not slightly better, than fresh. Have to get around to watching that youtube video later tonight.

    On another note, there is the biggest sale i have ever seen on fresh strawberries this week, two dollars a pound. Also bathroom scale was confirmed to be over by twenty pounds.... well at least my weight wasn't as high as thought.
  • dunnodunno
    dunnodunno Posts: 2,290 Member
    Everything I have read says that frozen are just you as good. Try the steamfresh kind that you put the bag in the microwave they come out great. you can get them seasoned or plain. I stay away from the sauce because that can add lots of calories.

    I often nuke my frozen veggies in a bowl. just plain. peas are perfect that way.I will add tomato sauce for flavor if needed.

    And a lot of sodium for the ones with sauce.

    I've been making broccoli & cauliflower & just adding cheese to it.
  • Jennrich0725
    Jennrich0725 Posts: 17 Member
    That is good to know. Fresh veggies are getting too expensive. I just bought two big bags of veggies so this is great info

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