The idea that “fresh is best” has dominated the foodie landscape for decades.
And to be fair, there is quite a bit of truth in it. After all, you just have to look back 100 years when people were growing their own food, picking and cooking it the same day, eating in season etc. and it absolutely makes sense.
But times have changed.
We are now a nation of hustlers and bustlers, scurrying from work to the gym to home to cooking something as quickly as possible because we simply do not have the time (or the inclination) to spend hours in the kitchen let alone cultivate our own crops.
Plus, do you know how “fresh” your fresh veg really is from the supermarket? Hint… it’s not as fresh as you think. Fruit and veg are grown, picked, packed and stored in huge, chilled warehouses before being shipped from one end of the country to the other in haulage trucks.
By the time it hits your plate it’s probably been in transit anything from 4 days to 12 months – yes really, read all about it here !
However, frozen fruit and veg are flash frozen on the day they’re harvested for maximum flavour and nutrient retention so, in theory, the frozen stuff is actually fresher than the fresh stuff.
Mindblowing right?
Anyhoo, let’s get into this a bit more shall well… here are 9 reasons why frozen food is better food!
Table of Content
Fresh Vs Frozen - What Science Tells Us
Let’s Get Chilly
When it comes to frozen food, the freezing process is like a pause button, capturing the freshness and nutrients of the ingredients at their peak.
Think about those juicy berries or vibrant veggies that get flash-frozen before they make their way to your freezer. It's like nature's way of saying, "I got you covered, even in the depths of winter."
Credit: BBC, www.youtube.com/@BBC
Further Readings
→ Mastering the Art of Meal Prepping for Busy Lifestyles
→ Are You Eating Mindfully? What Is Mindful Eating and How to Make It Work for You
1. Longer Shelf Life
Raise your hand if you’ve ever found a forgotten bag of veggies at the back of your fridge, shrivelled beyond recognition, sad, squishy and, well, all a bit gross? Come on… we’ve all been there.
Well, with frozen food, you can wave goodbye to wastage! The freezing process locks in nutrients and keeps food fresh for longer, ensuring you always have a meal at the ready.
You see, when food is frozen, it’s less prone to spoilage because the cold temperature slows down the growth of bacteria, mould, and yeast that can spoil food. Plus, most frozen foods are sealed in airtight packaging, further safeguarding them from the elements that lead to spoilage.
2. Nutrient Retention
Contrary to popular belief, frozen food can often retain more nutrients than its fresh counterparts – just check out the video we popped in this article earlier.
By freezing food at its peak freshness, vitamins and minerals are preserved, delivering a nutritious punch to your plate.
When you harvest produce to be sold fresh, it goes through a long journey from farm to table, losing some of its nutrients along the way. In contrast, frozen food is often processed shortly after harvest, locking in those essential vitamins and minerals before they have a chance to diminish.
3. Time Saver
In a rush? No problem! Frozen food is the ultimate time-saving champion. From pre-cut veggies to ready-to-eat meals *cough Prepped Pots cough* , the freezer aisle offers a plethora of options to whip up a quick and tasty dinner in a jiffy.
And let's face it, life can get super busy!
Whether you're juggling work, family, or just trying to sneak in a Netflix binge, cooking a meal from scratch isn't always top of your agenda.
This is where frozen food swoops in to save the day. Got a bag of frozen stir-fry veggies? Toss them in a pan with some protein and sauce, and voila – dinner is served in minutes. It's like having a culinary genie in your freezer!
Top Frozen Meals on Prepped Pots
4. Seasonal Sensations
Craving a taste of summer in the depths of winter? Frozen food has your back! Enjoy your favourite fruits and veggies year-round, regardless of the season. Say hello to blueberry pancakes in December!
While fresh produce is undeniably delicious, it's often limited by the constraints of the seasons.
But fear not, frozen food fans! Want to whip up a fruity smoothie in the dead of winter or toss some summer squash into your stir-fry in the fall? Frozen food grants you the power to defy the calendar and indulge in your favourite flavours whenever the craving strikes.
5. Budget-Friendly
Eating well doesn’t have to be a drain on your wallet. Frozen food often comes with a lower price tag than fresh produce, making it a budget-friendly choice for those looking to save some green while still eating healthy.
Let's be real, we all want to eat healthy without breaking the bank. And frozen food offers a wallet-friendly solution to this conundrum. With frozen fruits, veggies, and meals available at a fraction of the cost of their fresh counterparts, you can load up your shopping cart without worrying about the dent in your budget.
6. Eco-Friendly
Believe it or not, frozen food can also be eco-friendly. By extending the shelf life of food through freezing, you’re reducing food waste and its impact on the environment.
Mother Nature gives a frosty high-five!
Food waste is a significant environmental issue, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, water wastage, and land degradation. But here's where frozen food emerges as an unlikely champion.
By prolonging the life of food items that would otherwise go to waste, frozen food helps reduce the environmental footprint of our food consumption.
So, the next time you reach for that Prepped Pots pizza, remember – you're not just satisfying your hunger, you're also doing your part for the planet.
7. Get Creative
Think frozen food is just limited to TV dinners? Think again! The freezer aisle offers a world of culinary possibilities, from exotic frozen fruits for smoothie bowls to gourmet frozen meals for a fancy night in. Let your imagination run wilder than the Minions with Gru!
Gone are the days when frozen food was synonymous with bland, uninspired meals. Today's freezer aisle is a treasure trove of culinary delights waiting to be discovered. Fancy whipping up a tropical mango salsa for your fish tacos? Grab a bag of frozen mango chunks. Craving a decadent dessert but lacking the time and energy to bake from scratch? A scoop of premium ice cream from the freezer will do the trick – oh. Em. Gee. YUM!
8. Healthier Options
Watching your waistline? Frozen food can be your best friend. With a range of low-calorie, low-fat options available, you can indulge guilt-free while still satisfying your hunger.
I mean, just look at all the amazing meals we have on offer right here on Prepped Pots! All under 520 calories and utterly delicious…
After all, healthy eating doesn't have to mean deprivation. In fact, the freezer aisle is brimming with options that cater to a variety of dietary preferences and restrictions. Whether you're looking for low-calorie meals, plant-based dishes, or gluten-free treats, frozen is amazing for all that and more.
9. Meal Prep Superhero
Yes folks, frozen food is your meal prep superhero – and we love it!
Meal prep is the holy grail of busy individuals looking to eat well without spending hours in the kitchen each day. And frozen food offers a shortcut to meal prep success.
From frozen veggies that are pre-chopped and ready to toss into a stir-fry to fully cooked frozen proteins that simply need reheating, your freezer can be a treasure trove of meal prep essentials.
Whether you're planning your meals for the week ahead or simply want a quick and convenient dinner option on hand, frozen food can be your ally in the quest for stress-free mealtime.
Further Readings
Final thoughts
So, there you have it folks – the frosty charm of frozen food laid bare. It’s time to embrace the convenience, nutrition, and deliciousness of those icy delights waiting in your freezer. Now go ahead, thaw out your favourites and enjoy a cosy night in with a plate full of frozen food magic.
The Author: Ashleigh Tosh
Ashleigh - writer by day, reader by night, self-professed foodie at all times... A former broadcast journalist, she's been writing for the health & wellness industry for over 10 years and is now the Lead Copywriter for MuscleFood. She's also passionate about all things food & fitness. When she's not clickety-clacking on the keyboard, you can find her in the gym, in the kitchen or up a Munro.
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