Why fresh vegetables are better than frozen?

Advantages of fresh vegetables

WHICH ARE BEST: FRESH OR FROZEN VEGETABLES

Mus we choose fresh or frozen vegetables?

It is well known that fresh vegetables taste better and smell better. The best-tasting and smelling vegetables are those that have recently been picked from the garden.

As we let the time pass, all the vegetables lose flavor and smell, so, once collected, it is important to eat them as soon as possible.

We must not forget that fresh vegetables should be washed and stored properly at home. In this case, the frozen vegetables have more advantages, since they are already previously washed and are easier to maintain.

Whenever possible, choose fresh vegetables to frozen. Of course we mean genuinely fresh vegetables, those which have been collected recently from the garden and, if possible, biological.

If vegetables are a bit old, they may have lost many of its components and, in this case, frozen vegetables may even surpass the quality of fresh vegetables.

Can frozen vegetables meet or exceed the nutritional values of fresh ones?

Frozen vegetables have lower nutritional value than fresh, but are more practical, affordable and easier to maintain.

The table below shows a comparison between the tender fresh peas and frozen tender peas. As it can be seen , in most of the components, fresh peas outweigh the frozen ones.

Fresh vegetables contain more vitamins and minerals

Frozen vegetables

Some bags of frozen vegetables. Although they are already healthy, the nutritional properties of frozen vegetables is lower than that of fresh ones.

The content of vitamin C is more than twice in fresh than in frozen. Its potassium content is also much higher, as it is its phosphorus content. As for minerals, fresh exceed all except iron and sodium.

Unfortunately, the sodium level in the frozen peas is very high. Considering that their potassium level is lower, we can say that fresh peas are more diuretic than frozen ones and more desirable to people who want a low sodium diet

Fresh vegetables have more calories and energy

Tender fresh peas are a bit more energetic than frozen ones, since the latter contain more water. Fresh vegetables also have more fiber.

Frozen peas have more vitamin A

Nutritional values of green peas per 100 gr.
Raw frozen tender peasFresh tender peas
Water79, 93 gr.78, 86 gr.
Calories77 Kcal81 Kcal
Fat0, 37 gr.0,40 gr.
Proteins5,2 gr.5,42 gr.
Carbohydrates13, 70 gr.14, 46 gr.
Fiber4,7 gr.5,1 gr.
Potassium149 mg244 mg
Phosphorus80 mg108 mg
Iron1,53 mg1,47 mg
Sodium112 mg5 mg
Manganese0,338 mg0, 410 mg
Magnesium25 mg33 mg
Calcium22 mg25 mg
Zinc0,81 mg1,24 mg
Copper0,122 mcg0, 176 mcg
Selenium1,7 mcg1,8 mcg
Vitamin C18,0 mg40 mg
Vitamin A727 UI640 UI
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0, 258 mg.0, 266 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0, 100 mg0, 132 mg
Niacin (Vitamin B3)1,707 mg2, 090 mg
Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5)0, 136 mg0, 104 mg
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)0, 122 mg0, 169 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folic acid– folate)53 mg65 mg
Vitamin E0, 170 mg0, 390 mg

Related information:

How to preserve frozen vegetables at home

punto rojoMore information about vegetables.

This article was endorsed by Elisenda Carballido - Dietitian nutritionist. Postgraduate in Phytotherapy and master in Nutrition and Metabolism.
Editorial
Written by Editorial Botanical-online team in charge of content writing

29 July, 2022

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