Americans are recommended to eat nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day. And although as college students we are well aware of the health benefits, we are also painfully aware of the high price of fresh produce. With winter rapidly approaching and the harvest season coming to a close, it is also getting harder to find many fruits and vegetables that actually look appetizing. In order to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables despite the season, and save some money in the process, the Food and Drug Administration suggests heading to the frozen and canned food aisles.
According to the FDA, there is virtually no difference in nutritional content between fresh and frozen vegetables. Fresh fruit and vegetables are often regarded as healthiest because they reach you with fewer additives than frozen and canned foods do. In addition, fresh produce can be consumed raw, while frozen and canned food must be heated up, which can cause nutrients such as fiber to diminish. However, when determining the health benefits of fresh produce, it is important to consider the fact that fruits and vegetables (with the exception of those grown locally or in your own personal garden) often travel long distances to then sit on grocery story shelves under bright fluorescent lights.
Frozen and canned fruits and veggies are picked and packaged at peak ripeness, thus locking in vital nutrients. Fresh produce, on the other hand, is harvested before it is fully ripe. As a result, these fruits and vegetables ripen off the vine, which prevents the full development of all vitamins and minerals. These seemingly fresh foods are then exposed to moisture and varying temperatures en route to the supermarket, both of which decrease the nutritional value of the produce.
According to livestrong.com, vegetables frozen properly onsite do not require any preservatives, and while they may have lower calcium than fresh veggies, they contain higher amounts of vitamin C.
Locally grown fruits and vegetables are hard to beat; they do not travel far and are often produced naturally without chemicals or harmful fertilizers. In addition, it is important to be aware of what you are eating when you shop in the frozen or canned food aisles. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are sometimes packaged in syrup or sauce, which can contain added sugar, fat, and salt.
The ideal way to get your fruits and vegetables is, of course, to grow your own. But in order to get your nine recommended servings, don’t shy away from the canned carrots or frozen blueberries.
