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Fresh or frozen, which vegetables are better for our health
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1. Industrial freezing of vegetables
The process destroys enzymes that could impair the quality, taste and colour of vegetables during storage while helping to preserve their nutritional value. Fast shock freezing is most often used in industry, which shortly lowers the temperature to very low values, preventing the formation of large ice crystals. Grabowska 2015).2. Frozen vegetables have their advantages and disadvantages
Frozen vegetables have a number of advantages that make them a convenient and healthy choice in your daily diet.3. Long shelf life
: freezing significantly extends the shelf life of vegetables, allowing them to be stored for several months without loss of quality, enabling you to enjoy fresh produce all year round, regardless of the season.4. Maintenance of nutritional values
Bouzari, D. Barrett 2015) In many cases, frozen vegetables retain more nutritional value than their fresh counterparts, which can quickly lose their value when stored. (A. Holstege, DM: Frozen veggies are cooled right after harvesting, and a delicate processing process, including blending, effectively protects the valuable nutrients they contain.5. Comfort and time-saving
Frozen vegetables are already pre-cooked, purified and cut, which greatly reduces the time it takes to prepare meals.6. No need to shop frequently
As a result, frozen vegetables are a healthy alternative in the diet; no artificial preservatives: freezing is a natural preservation method that does not require the addition of preservative chemicals: frozen veggies are available all year round, which eliminates the need for frequent visits to the store.7. Availability throughout the year
: freezing allows you to enjoy seasonal vegetables all year round, regardless of the time of year. This gives you a wide selection of products that would be available in fresh form only in certain months.8. This is a list of the official languages of the Republic of Moldova
Although frozen vegetables have many advantages, there are also certain limitations that must be taken into account.9. The need to maintain a constant temperature during storage
Matabura 2023) Any deviations, such as freezing and re-freezing, can lead to loss of quality, a decrease in nutritional value, as well as an increased risk of food poisoning (V.V. The storage conditions for frozen vegetables are also crucial it is necessary to maintain a constant temperature below 0°C.10. Not all vegetables can be frozen
Therefore, they are not available in frozen versions. Delicate products, such as salads and tomatoes, lose their texture after thawing, which prevents them from being used in a form similar to fresh vegetables. Moreover, not all vegetables are suitable for freezing.11. Fresh vegetables have their advantages and disadvantages
In addition, these vegetables come in many varieties, allowing for greater variety in the daily menu and experimentation with many flavor combinations and preparation forms. Fresh vegetables are not only rich in nutrients but also provide numerous benefits that make them an indispensable part of the diet. Thanks to a wide range of colors, shapes and flavors, fresh vegetables can be an attractive addition to any meal, whether raw or cooked, baked or seasoned.12. The availability
Such vegetables are also often more fresh and rich in flavour than those imported from remote places. Choosing products from local crops often means higher quality, lower prices and support for local farmers, which can be beneficial for both consumers and the environment.13. This is a list of the official languages of the Republic of Moldova
This means that you need to shop more often and plan your meals, and if they're not stored in the right conditions, with the right temperature and humidity, they quickly lose their freshness and can spoil, and most importantly, they last much shorter than their frozen counterparts.14. It's a long transportation time
During this process, vegetables may lose certain nutrients and organoleptic properties, such as taste and texture. It should also be noted that chemical preservatives or plant protection products are often used to prolong the durability of imported products (K. Lesiów 2021). Multi-day transport and storage in warehouses can adversely affect the freshness and nutritional value of products. In addition, products requiring special storage conditions are particularly vulnerable to decreasing quality in the event of any logistical irregularities.15. There's less off-season availability
The seasonality of vegetables also constitutes a limitation Off-season availability of some species is much lower and prices of those available often increase significantly.16. Which vegetables to choose? Fresh or frozen
Frozen vegetables are an excellent choice for those seeking comfort, year-round availability and long-term storage of products. Frozen veggies are also a good choice when fresh seasonal products are limited. They are ideal for salads, grilling, as an ingredient in raw snacks, or dishes where texture and flavor play a key role. The key is to skillfully combine the two options in order to take full advantage of their nutritional and health benefits. Both frozen and fresh vegetables have their benefits and limitations. Alternatives are particularly sought for foods that do not require an ideal texture, such as a full-bodied smoothie, or to be used as a flavoring ingredient for the whole season.
