Depending on when the farmer picked them and how they were packaged, frozen fruits can be just as healthy as their fresh produce counterparts. As for personal taste, you may need some trial and error to determine which frozen fruits or brands you prefer.
The Time Delay
Several weeks can elapse between the time fruit is picked arrives in the grocery store. During that time, fruits can lose their vital nutrients, particularly vitamin C. Vitamin C, along with vitamin B in some fruits may diminish during transportation when they are exposed to heat and light. For optimum nutrient levels in your fruit, look for fruits grown locally that require limited transportation time.
The Frozen Advantage
Food manufacturers usually pick fruits headed for freezing when they are most ripe. Fruits at the peak of ripeness generally have the most nutrients. Although some vitamin B and C depletion is possible, on the whole the freezing process locks in most of the nutrients.
Fresh Produce
Fruits headed to your grocery store's produce department get picked prematurely to allow them to ripen by the time they make it to the shelves. While the fruits may appear ripe on the outside, they've had less time to achieve their full nutritional value on the inside.
Sugars and Syrups
Many frozen fruits are packed in sugars or syrups, which add flavor but little nutritional value. Peaches, melons and apples are more readily found frozen without sugars or syrups; however it is more difficult to find sugar and syrup-free frozen blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.
References
- Fitness Magazine; Is Frozen Fruit as Healthy as Fresh Fruit?; Trisha Calvo; May 2006
- Eating Well; Fresh vs. Frozen Vegetables: Are We Giving Up Nutrition For Convenience?; Rachael Moeller Gorman; November/December 2007
- Living-Foods.com: Fruits and (Sprouted) Grains - a Comparison
- WholesomeBabyFood.com: When Fruits and Vegetables Are Out of Season - What to Use for Baby Food
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