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Are Frozen Foods a Good Choice? An Analysis of the Nutritional Composition of Frozen Products
Table of Contents
1. What is the range and availability of cooling appliances for preserving food?
Food preservation cooling appliances are popular tools that utilize low temperatures to preserve food products. Typically, they achieve temperatures between −20°C and −40°C, which slows down the food spoilage process by freezing the water content. Most food products can be frozen, with the exception of high-water-content products such as onions, lemons, lettuce, blueberries, and melons, as freezing changes their structure, making them less appealing after thawing. It is also recommended to avoid freezing dairy products such as cottage cheese, cheese, yogurt, and cream. Food preservation cooling appliances are available for home use or for purchase in stores, offering various types such as freezers for fruits and vegetables, fruit-vegetable mixes, fish, seafood, and ready-to-eat dishes such as soups, dumplings, pasta, and fast-food dishes such as pizza and grilled sandwiches.2. Losses and changes in nutritional value of frozen products
Consumers often question whether freezing products affects their nutritional value. Scientific research, however, suggests that storing products at low temperatures can lead to certain changes in the content of vitamins and minerals. Data regarding meat and fish indicate that freezing does not impact protein and fat content. However, a loss (approximately 10-30%) of B vitamins is observed. In the case of fish, particularly oily sea fish, the greatest risk is the loss of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. These losses occur in the case of longer storage of products (6-24 months). On the other hand, the content of fatty acids remains unchanged with shorter storage (3 months). Many studies examining the impact of freezing on the nutritional value of products come from the past and do not take into account any potential changes in the production process and technological progress. However, there are also more recent data indicating that freezing and storing products can lead to changes in the content of vitamins and minerals.3. Nutrient composition of fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables
Owing to potential nutrient losses caused by freezing, many people choose fresh fruit and vegetables. However, they are often bought in large quantities for storage and then kept in the refrigerator. This practice can have the opposite effect. Researchers have analyzed the changes in the content of three vitamins (folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin A) in fresh, frozen, and fresh vegetables and fruits that were stored in the refrigerator for 5 days. The results suggest that in most cases no significant differences were found, but when they did occur, keeping them in the refrigerator had a more negative effect on the vitamin content than freezing (L. Li et al. 2017). Therefore, it seems reasonable to purchase fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables regularly (every 2-3 days), and larger quantities in frozen form or freezing the excess immediately after purchase.4. Advantages of consuming frozen food items
Based on the presented data, it is evident that frozen food items have a very similar nutritional value compared to fresh produce and there is no cause for concern about deficiencies in the diet that includes frozen products. Among other benefits of these products are: – availability out of season: it is important to note that freezing fruits and vegetables takes place in the peak season when they are at their ripest; therefore, frozen food items such as strawberries, blueberries, beans, and green beans are an attractive addition to the diet in winter months when there is less fruit and vegetables in season; – price: frozen food items are usually cheaper than fresh ones (especially out of season), so they can be a good choice for people with a limited budget; – convenience: frozen food items are available in most stores and their range is quite wide, moreover, quick-to-prepare ready-made mixtures or dishes (soups, vegetable pans or rice/pasta dishes) are a good alternative to snacks or fast food when time to prepare a meal is limited; – longer shelf life: frozen food items can be stored for many months (at appropriate conditions), so that they can be kept as a reserve for situations in which quick preparation of a meal is required or there is no time to go to the store.5. The drawbacks of frozen products
In considering issues related to frozen products, it is also important to take into account some risks associated with their consumption. In particular, it should be noted that some fruits and vegetables (e.g. strawberries, raspberries) lose their original properties and consistency after thawing due to water loss. Furthermore, attention should be paid to the appropriate method of storing frozen products to avoid their degradation during transport and storage. For example, frozen products should be quickly transferred to the freezer after purchase and then stored at around -18°C in airtight containers. In this way, the thawing and spoilage of products can be prevented.6. Summary
As per the recommendations of the National Institute of Public Health, the daily minimum consumption of fruits and vegetables should be at least 400 grams. However, data from the Central Statistical Office indicate that Polish residents consume an average of around 380 grams of fruits and vegetables per day, of which vegetables account for slightly less than 250 grams. One method to increase this amount is to use frozen products, which are characterized by good availability and relatively affordable prices. Under suitable conditions, freezing is a safe method of food preservation, even though it may lead to some loss of nutrients and vitamins, these losses are minimal and often comparable to those observed during refrigeration. Therefore, frozen fruits and vegetables are a valuable source of nutrients that can be easily incorporated into the daily meal plan.
