Quick-frozen dumplings, dim sum, meatballs, frozen green beans, carrots, corn, to quick-frozen broccoli, asparagus, green vegetables… There are all kinds of quick-frozen foods everywhere in the supermarket. Not nutritious.
In fact, the nutrition of frozen food is not low at all.
Frozen meat is no less nutritious than fresh meat
Meat mainly provides protein and minerals. Proteins and minerals do not change at extremely low temperatures. Therefore, the nutritional value of frozen meat is not lower than that of fresh meat.
However, in terms of taste, frozen meat is indeed slightly worse. Because if frozen for a long time, the meat will gradually lose water, and the taste will not be so tender.
Frozen fruits and vegetables aid in nutrient retention
Frozen fruits and vegetables are frozen at -18°C as soon as they are picked. At this temperature, the respiration of fruits and vegetables is almost stagnant, and microorganisms cannot grow and reproduce, which in theory is even more conducive to the retention of nutrients.
The USDA survey shows that there is no significant difference in the nutrient content of frozen fruits and vegetables compared with fresh ones, and even in some cases, the preservation rate of vitamin C, B vitamins, and carotenoids in frozen fruits and vegetables is even higher; the United Kingdom A study of 37 products by Sheffield Hallam University found that there was no significant nutritional difference between fresh and frozen food.
Because of this, international health agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the British Dietitian Association (BNF), believe that the nutritional value of frozen food and fresh food is not much different, and both can be used as healthy meals. a part of.
However, you should pay attention to the following aspects when eating frozen food at home:
When choosing frozen foods, read food labels carefully. Try to choose products with less fat and salt; if you know it has more oil and more salt, try to eat less;
Pay attention to the combination of meat and vegetables. I could have eaten a bag of quick-frozen dumplings instead of half a bag of dumplings with some hot vegetables.
Avoid repeated thawing. Because food is easy to lose nutrients during the repeated thawing process, it is also more likely to breed bacteria. Generally at home, we recommend using the microwave oven or placing it in the refrigerator overnight to defrost. It is actually a good choice to pre-pack and put in the refrigerator.
