Topic: Veggies; Frozen vs Canned?

[Ken (OP)]

Kay and me have been debating the food value and quality of frozen veggies versus canned veggies. We're both of the opinion that frozen is better for quality and for less additives like salt and other preservatives... and I've long been of the opinion that "Better Living Through Chemistry" has lead us to a disastrous state of affairs in our national food and dietary habits.

So I'm getting ready to do some research and post some of my findings. You are invited to do the same and to offer your opinions about food choices in general and about vegetables in particular.  :2thumbs:

[Ken (OP)]

Found this interesting article on the Health Library website.

While it is generally accepted that fresh fruits and vegetables contain the most nutrients, it is important to remember that fresh produce is often transported over long distances and then left to sit on store shelves. The time lapse between picking and purchase can cause fresh fruits and vegetables to lose some of their nutritional value as they are exposed to light and air. Their taste and texture are also diminished.

Frozen or canned produce, on the other hand, is generally packaged immediately after harvesting, when nutrient levels are at their highest. Statements issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the International Food Information Council (IFIC) report that nutrients in fruits and vegetables are generally not lost during canning or freezing, and that fresh, frozen, or canned versions of the same food have relatively equivalent nutrient profiles.

The nutrients in produce remain largely intact regardless of how they are processed. The lycopene in tomatoes, for example, can be found in fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, and frozen pizza sauce. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety & Inspection Service has also stated that there is little change in nutrient value during freezer storage of meat and poultry products.

Some studies have found that frozen or canned foods hold their own when it comes to nutrient levels. For example, a comparative analysis of canned, fresh, and frozen fruits and vegetables, conducted by the University of Illinois Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, confirmed encouraging findings about canned foods, in particular:

    * Fiber content is as high in canned products as in their fresh counterparts.
    * Folate (an essential B Vitamin), vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, thiamin, and carotenoids all hold up well during canning. In some cases (pumpkins, for example), vitamin A levels are actually higher in the canned versus fresh product. Some analyses also show that the nutrient value of lycopene is increased when consumed after it is heated or canned.
    * The nutrient value of meats and other proteins are also unaltered by the canning process.
    * The canning process may actually increase calcium levels in fish as compared to its freshly cooked variety.

Conclusion 

Most nutritionists and dieticians would agree that fresh fruits and vegetables are nutritionally ideal. But they would also always add that it is better to eat frozen or canned produce than no produce at all. The convenience of canned and frozen fruits and vegetables may encourage people to consume more of these foods and potentially snack less on junk food. To find out the amount of fruits and veggies you should eat based on your age and gender, visit http://www.mypyramid.gov/.

Another benefit of frozen and canned foods is that they are often less expensive than their fresh counterparts; and as a final bonus, freezing and canning allow out-of-season produce to be available throughout the year to the delight of consumers everywhere!

[Burgundyrose]

I prefer frozen veggies for their fresher taste after cooking. I buy canned because it is cheaper. Well actually I buy both frozen and canned depending on my food budget, but I still prefer the frozen.

[Skhilled]

Farm fresh, those you get straight from the farm or a farm stand are probably best. 2nd would be frozen, not the "steamables" kind or those with cheese, etc. Just frozen fresh without additives. 3rd would be canned because of the preservatives, salt and sugars that are added to protect and enhance flavor.