Frozen and canned vegetables
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EmailFrozen and canned vegetables are a great alternative to fresh produce.
Eating vegetables is recommended by health professionals, like doctors, nutritionists and dieticians. The American Heart Association, Michigan State University Extension and the United States Department of Agriculture promotes this practice to maintain good health, and to reduce the risk of some chronic diseases. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body. Often consumers will ask about the use of fresh, frozen or canned vegetables, wondering which is best to use.
Local fresh vegetables in season can be an economical choice, however, when not in season in your location the use of frozen or canned are excellent alternatives. Frozen vegetables are picked and frozen at their peak of flavor and ripeness. Frozen within hours of picking this helps to retain flavor and nutrients. Canned vegetables are least expensive but have the same level of nutrients as fresh. When buying canned vegetables, buy those that have reduced or no sodium. Or simple drain the liquid and rinse lightly to reduce the sodium.
Registered dietician Jody Gatewood with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has these helpful tips to consider:
When deciding whether to buy fresh, canned or frozen vegetables, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Which kind of vegetable is most appropriate for your needs? If you are making a soup or stew, canned tomatoes might make more sense than fresh.
- How much waste is there? If you are buying fresh carrots or broccoli, consider that you’ll pay for the entire weight, but you’ll throw away the stems/peels. You’ll need to have a plan to eat fresh vegetables before they spoil while frozen and canned vegetables can be stored for longer periods of time.
- How much time will it save overall? Don’t just consider the cooking time but preparation and clean up as well. If your schedule for the week is busy, you might decide to use frozen or canned vegetables if they will save you time.
Offering a variety of vegetable choices will help you and your family meet the nutrient needs of your body and enhance the flavor and texture of meals. With a colorful array of vegetables available your family will have many to choose and enjoy.
