March is Nutrition Month

10 reasons to buy frozen vegetables and fruits

1. They are just as nutritious as fresh.

Produce is picked at its peak of freshness and frozen right

away.

2. You can save money.

You can stock up on frozen produce when it’s on sale. Check

your local grocery store flyers and compare prices.

3. They save you time.

The washing and cutting are done for you. Look for frozen

produce in the form that you need-whole, sliced, or chopped.

4. You can reduce food waste.

Need a vegetable or fruit for a recipe, but not sure you’ll use

it all? Frozen produce allows you to use only what you need

and save the rest for a later date.

5. You have more choices.

Some vegetables and fruits are not available fresh

throughout the year. Buying frozen vegetables and fruits can

give you more variety all year around.

6. They have many uses.

Frozen vegetables and fruits are great for so many recipes. For example:

• use frozen butternut squash cubes for a quick puréed soup

• thaw frozen berries to add to your favourite muffin or loaf recipe

• add frozen peach slices to yogurt for summer flavours during the winter

• sauté frozen vegetables for a stir-fry, or steam and season them for a side dish

7. They should make up half your meal.

Frozen vegetables and fruits can help you eat plenty of vegetables and fruits each

day.

8. They last longer.

Frozen produce does not spoil as quickly as fresh vegetables and fruits.

9. They cook faster than fresh vegetables.

Many vegetables are blanched before freezing. Blanched vegetables cook quickly,

saving you time.

• Add frozen broccoli to a pot of boiling pasta in the last minute of cooking. Strain

the broccoli and pasta, then top with your favourite pasta sauce.

10. They’re flavourful all year around.

Fresh produce is frozen when its flavour is at its peak.

References

10 reasons to buy frozen vegetables and fruits. (n.d.). Canada Food Guide.

https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/cooking-skills/10-reasons-buy-frozen-vegetables-fruits

Nutrition co-op student, Ranchana David