Fresh Vs. frozen veggies?

DJ2120
DJ2120 Posts: 407 Member
in Food and Nutrition
If I am planning on steaming my veggies anyway, does it matter if I use fresh or frozen? I have heard that frozen veggies don't have the same nutrition as fresh & I have also heard that it's the same either way. So what do you all think/know?

Replies

  • Danied13
    Danied13 Posts: 117 Member
    If vegetables are in season, I chose fresh. If they're out of season, I chose frozen as they're frozen at season's peak.
  • redraidergirl2009
    redraidergirl2009 Posts: 2,560 Member
    I buy what's cheaper so it doesn't matter. They should be the same.
  • Stacey_Lorraine
    Stacey_Lorraine Posts: 60
    If vegetables are in season, I chose fresh. If they're out of season, I chose frozen as they're frozen at season's peak.

    I do the same i only buy fresh when they are in season otherwise its frozen
  • callipso
    callipso Posts: 5
    If I am planning on steaming my veggies anyway, does it matter if I use fresh or frozen? I have heard that frozen veggies don't have the same nutrition as fresh & I have also heard that it's the same either way. So what do you all think/know?

    I've heard that veggies which were frozen quickly can be more nutritious than those which spent weeks in transit at higher temperatures. I pick fresh so long as it looks really fresh.
  • jeme3
    jeme3 Posts: 355 Member
    Really fresh, peak of season veggies/fruits are the most nutritious, followed closely by fresh and fresh frozen. Canned are the least nutritious, generally.
  • AnneC77
    AnneC77 Posts: 284
    I have a mixture of both, though no matter how fresh your veggies look, how do you not know that they weren't picked a week ago? Frozen is best or so I heard.
  • Sarah0866
    Sarah0866 Posts: 291 Member
    Frozen vegetables are actually frozen at their freshest so I do both fresh and frozen
  • Sarah0866
    Sarah0866 Posts: 291 Member
    Agreed
    I have a mixture of both, though no matter how fresh your veggies look, how do you not know that they weren't picked a week ago? Frozen is best or so I heard.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Either s fine- whichever suits your time and budget.
  • DJ2120
    DJ2120 Posts: 407 Member
    I think I'm going to start doing frozen, it is more budget friendly as well because you get much more for your money. Plus I don't have to worry about it going bad if I don't use it within a certain amount of time which is another issue I have had.
  • windycitycupcake
    windycitycupcake Posts: 516 Member
    you know, i always choose fresh veggies because i love salad and i cant eat a salad with mushy thawed veggies. that being said, i have read things about veggies losing nutrients when you cook them, which i am assuming i would do if they were frozen-cook them. then i found this article:

    "Frozen vegetables more nutritious than fresh, study says"
    http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-03-05/entertainment/27058113_1_nutrient-rich-vegetables-birds-eye-fresh-veggies

    now i am left feeling the tiniest bit curious..which is more nutritious, non-local fresh veggies raw or frozen veggies that have been cooked?

    in the article it says some veggies lose more than 40% of their nutrition before they get to you!

    i wonder if i should be doubling up on veggies just to get the amount of calcium & vitamins i think i am getting...
  • Sarah0866
    Sarah0866 Posts: 291 Member
    And if you're on a time crunch, you can always steam them in the microwave (most bags of frozen veggies, like Steamfresh or Steamables)
    I think I'm going to start doing frozen, it is more budget friendly as well because you get much more for your money. Plus I don't have to worry about it going bad if I don't use it within a certain amount of time which is another issue I have had.
  • Browneyedgirl140
    Browneyedgirl140 Posts: 102 Member
    I bought my first frozen bag of mixed berries a few weeks ago, I thawed them in the fridge and used then to snack on during the week. It was a great choice since the fresh berries are expensive.
  • gracieabem
    gracieabem Posts: 211
    Nothing can beat the taste of fresh vegetables in season, but I always have a few packets of frozen veggies for days when I just couldn't be bothered with prep or I have a really busy schedule. I also sometimes buy fresh veggies on special in bulk and cut them up and freeze them when I get home. I'm really not into wasting food and considering that and the fact that sometimes meal planning goes out the window when my schedule is particularly busy... sometimes it better to have those frozen veggies ready to go then have a crisper full of fresh stuff that may not be so fresh when I finally use it up. Having said that, I've made some great vegetable based dishes on my crisper remnants before lol.

    Berries are another food I buy frozen all the time. There is a small window of opportunity to get fresh blueberries here and I make full use of that and there is a long strawberry season... at the tail end of this right now. :-( But I love my berries, so I buy frozen a lot of the time.
  • ShmoozyQ
    ShmoozyQ Posts: 390 Member
    I think if you're steaming them anyway, frozen is fine. It's cheaper and the veggies are picked at the height of their ripeness and frozen quickly.
  • DJ2120
    DJ2120 Posts: 407 Member
    Thanks for all the input everyone! I'm going to start doing frozen veggies next week after I finish off some fresh produce I purchased today. I think it will save me a lot of time and money in the long run, plus I feel like I can have more of a variety this way :happy:
  • DrowningMermaid
    DrowningMermaid Posts: 143
    There are certain vegetables I prefer frozen to fresh (okra) and others I can't stand frozen (green beans) but I buy a variety depending on the price and how fast I think we're going to be eating it. I don't get many fresh vegetables other than cauliflower, broccoli, carrots and stuff that's going to stay good in my fridge. I also supplement with canned vegetables fairly often too, as well as growing some of my own in my little garden. I figure if I can't eat them fast enough, I'll freeze what's left.
  • desiv2
    desiv2 Posts: 651 Member
    Bird's Eye Normandy Blend frozen vegetables are my favorite, so easy to break out and steam up for a side dish!
  • lessofme150
    lessofme150 Posts: 105 Member
    These are the exact reason why I do a lot of frozen. I do like my raw veggies (carrots and peppers) but the rest are usually frozen.

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