Canned or frozen produce are more convenientbut are you giving up nutrition for convenience or is that a myth?
Find out what the science says.
But sometimes, the produce you want isn’t in season and can’t be found fresh.
Ted + Chelsea Cavanaugh
Or maybe you just don’t have the time to prep all that fresh produce for dinner.
Enter canned and frozen fruits and vegetables.
We know canned and frozen produce can be a lot more convenientbut are they worth it?
Are you giving up nutrition or taste for convenience?
As with anything, there are pros and cons.
Frozen produce tends to be picked and frozen at peak season, so they’re surprisingly fresh.
Sometimes, fresh beats them out in terms of taste and quality, but not always.
Frozen fruit is unbeatable in smoothies, and soups are a forgiving base for vegetables of all kinds.
It’s a seasonal food.
But even in season, canned tomatoes offer something that fresh can’t.
Tomatoes are preserved using heat, which releases lycopenea carotenoid that may help prevent prostate and breast cancer.
Choose organic canned tomatoes when possible and consider the packaging.
Canned tomatoes are now available in glass jars or aseptic boxes in addition to “BPA-free” cans.
Why worry about BPA?
At this point, there’s not enough known research to conclude the safety of these substitutes.
Winner:Canned tomatoes
Fresh Peas vs. Peas' sugars turn into starch as soon as they are picked.
After 24 hours, those sweet little green gems can be grainy and dull tasting.
So, it’s a better bet that frozen peas will have the sweet taste you’re looking for.
Plus, you don’t have to do any shucking!
Bottled lemon juice may have additiveslike citric acid, sugar and water.
Stick with squeezing fresh lemons.
Winner:Fresh lemon juice
Fresh Broccoli vs.
But there are circumstances where frozen vegetables can’t beat fresh vegetables.
Take broccoli, for example.
Frozen broccoli can be watery and often mushy when it’s cooked.
Add it to anything in its frozen state and you’ll end up with a watery mess.
And though pre-chopped broccoli is certainly convenient, you’re better off sticking with fresh.
Tuna isn’t the only fish that comes in a cansalmon does, too.
But should you use it over fresh?
The answer is, it depends.
And you could’t substitute a can of salmon for a pretty fillet in a recipe.
Stick with canned salmon if you want a quick sandwich filling or use it to top a salad.
If it’s a fillet you’re after, stick with fresh.
Winner:It’s a tie!
Fresh Spinach vs.
Frozen Spinach
There’s a reason Popeye reached for a can of spinach rather than a fresh bunch.
He knew that he could get more bang for his buck.
We prefer frozen spinach over canned because it has better flavor and is lower in sodium.
If you prefer fresh, make a run at choose in-season ones.
If you’re buying frozen or canned, choose ones with no or minimal added sugar and salt.
And above all, get creative and make tasty, nourishing dishes that you love.
