Fruits & Veggies: frozen as nutritious as fresh

Fruits and Veggies: Fresh vs. Frozen

Rrom Sonoma Diet

Fresh fruits and vegetables are certainly the most appealing choice in terms of taste and texture, but sometimes you just don't have time to buy, wash, and chop a head of broccoli or a bag of onions. Frozen varieties are an easy option that ensures you get your daily dose, but they're also just as nutritious because they're picked fully ripe and then processed right away. Frozen vegetables are generally preferable to canned, except when it comes to tomatoes.

Here are a few guidelines you should follow when buying canned or frozen fruits and vegetables:

• Always look for fruits and vegetables canned in water or their own juices, and be sure to check the label for added salt. Avoid fruits and veggies canned in syrup, which is loaded with sugar.
• Most canned and frozen vegetables are cooked during processing — even if only briefly — so it's important to use shorter cooking times and lower temperatures to preserve more of their nutritional value.
• Instead of boiling frozen or canned vegetables, try steaming, baking, or even microwaving them. These methods require less water, which means more nutrients.