A Week Eating Only Frozen Foods: Can You Do It?

Everyone knows what it’s like to come home from a long day with little interest in cooking dinner for the family. Some days, we even think back wistfully on years when a bowl of cereal for dinner was a choice we didn’t even think twice about…you know, back before the meaning of #adulting set in.

When dinner malaise sets in…

You want something affordable, healthy, and that even the pickiest eater in your tribe will enjoy. You could go out to eat, but restaurants can get expensive, and may not provide the healthiest options. It seems, then, that the best choice for eating healthy and putting a good variety on your plate is to buy fresh foods at the grocery store. But does fresh food really mean better food?

No! Studies have shown that fresh food is often not as “fresh” as we might think and that frozen vegetables are fresher than fresh.

New Study Designed Menus With Only Frozen Foods

A new study, which took on the challenge of creating weekly meal plans with only frozen foods, has shown that frozen foods not only provide many of the nutrients necessary for a healthy diet, but they may even save you money! With its accessibility, wide variety, and many “better for you” options – like our products – frozen food really does stack up against the fresh competition.

Frozen Foods and Healthy Eating

Because of the convenience of pre-made meals and snacks, the frozen food market is growing fast. The frozen food aisle offers great options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. This makes it easy to incorporate healthy options (like frozen veggies!) into each meal, and even the spaces in between.

FACT: Frozen Foods Provide All The Nutrients You Need

#HealthyEating fact: a healthy 2,000 calorie diet can be met with a 7-day menu made up of ~95% frozen meals and snacks.

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On average, a 2,000 calorie diet can be met with a seven day menu made up of about 95% frozen meals and snacks. These frozen food menus can also provide consumers with nutrients that are typically left out of diets, like fiber, potassium, and iron. In fact, evidence shows that people who eat frozen foods are more likely to eat more vegetables, beans and whole grains than those who don’t.

FACT: Frozen Foods Stay Fresher Longer

Frozen foods also retain their nutrients longer. It can be weeks between the time it takes for fresh produce to come from the farm to your table, and it loses important nutrients and flavor on the way. Vegetables destined to be frozen are picked at their peak freshness, and the freezing process locks in their flavor and nutrients.

FACT: Frozen Foods Can Be Healthier Than Alternatives

The many options for frozen food also includes the “better for you” meals and snacks. These can help consumers with heart disease and diabetes, as frozen vegetables without sauce or seasoning often have low sodium. Individuals who eat healthy frozen foods often had lower calorie intakes and scored higher on the healthy eating index as well.

Buying Frozen Saves Money and Time

Not only does buying frozen foods help provide options for healthy eating, but it can save consumers money too.

Frozen foods are easily accessible, meaning that consumers don’t need to go out of their way for healthy, affordable food. There are a variety of available brands that offer cost effective prices for meals and snacks. Paying attention to prices can create a menu of frozen foods that fall within the USDA’s moderate cost meal plan. In addition, frozen foods help consumers reduce the cost of going out to eat.

Frozen Foods are Good for the Planet

Purchasing frozen foods also helps sustainability and decreases food waste. When fresh food is stored, it loses important nutrients, and it spoils more easily. This gives frozen food a leg up, because it has a longer shelf life than fresh foods. Frozen food can also be used in portions and stored longer without going bad. Consumers of frozen food can worry less about throwing out food and wasting their money.

Cooking Frozen Saves Time

Choosing to buy and prepare frozen food can help consumers save time too! Whether it comes to making a snack, a side dish, or a full meal, frozen foods are great time savers. With pre-made and simple put together meals, making breakfast, lunch or dinner becomes quick and easy!