Fresh fruits are not only an excellent source of nutrients, they also taste really good. During the summer months, fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and every other fruit you can imagine are in season. A great way to preserve summer fruits is to freeze them and save them for another day. There has been a lot of debate about whether frozen fruit is good for us, but research shows that frozen fruit is perfectly edible and just as nutritious.
Nutritional content of frozen fruits
The nutritional content of frozen fruits can be even higher because they are usually picked at the time of peak ripeness. Fruits harvested for freezing are picked, blanched, cooled and frozen – all within hours of harvest. This process helps preserve the nutrients in the food, while fresh fruit typically loses some of its nutritional content during transportation to market.
Longer lasting summer snack
Purchasing frozen fruit can help reduce food waste because it can be stored and consumed at will, while fresh fruit has a shorter window of time in which to consume it before it spoils. Even though it has a longer shelf life than fresh fruit, it's important to remember that frozen fruit doesn't last forever.
Good for weight loss and as an anti-aging agent
The summer frozen fruit snack contains a lot of vitamin C and supports the metabolism, which leads to the breakdown of fat deposits. Vitamin C has a positive effect on collagen production and helps against wrinkles. That's why frozen fruit is suitableperfect as an anti-aging snack!
Frozen fruits contain vitamins and minerals
We all know that fruits are an important part of our diet because our bodies need vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that fruits naturally provide. Fruits such as frozen pomegranate, for example, are an excellent source of fiber as well as vitamins C, K, B and minerals such as calcium, potassium and iron, all of which are important for keeping our bodies strong and healthy.
Frozen fruits are a healthy fast food
Frozen fruit is known for its convenience and is typically easier to prepare with little waste. They don't need to be washed, peeled or chopped and are quick to prepareto a healthy oneand practical option.
Frozen fruit – less pesticides
Fresh berries, for example, can contain many pesticides, but frozen berries have been found to contain less than half the pesticides of fresh berries.
Freezing: A healthy way to preserve fresh fruit
Freezing is a widely used long-term preservation method that retains many of the properties associated with freshness and is considered by many to be a better preservation method than, for example, canning or drying. The fruits do not require any preservatives or additives when frozen, making freezing ahealthyMethod to extend the shelf life of fresh produce.
Thaw frozen fruit
With all the benefits that frozen fruit offers, you may be in a hurry to add it to your diet. Whatever you do, make sure it is properly thawed before eating. Thawing should be done in the refrigerator because food should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours and it is not recommended to refreeze the thawed fruit.
If you can't wait, there are a few ways to use your fruit before it's thawed - for smoothies, sauces, or as a filling for baked goods. Heating on low heat on the stove is ideal because using the juice from the fruit preserves the vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, experts warn against cooking frozen fruit—when you cook it, many of the nutrients (and flavor) leach into the water and are lost.
Frozen fruits – delicious recipes
Smoothie with frozen berries
A healthy smoothie with almond milk, frozen berries and yogurt is perfect for the hot days of summer. Prepare it quickly because it is tasty, low in calories andso simpleis!
Ingredients:
- 200 ml unsweetened almond milk
- 120g frozen strawberries, approx. 10 medium/large berries
- 60g frozen blueberries
- 150 g low-fat Greek vanilla yogurt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Chia or linseeds, honey: as desired
Preparation:
Place all the ingredients in a high speed blender in the order listed: the almond milk, strawberries, blueberries, yogurt and cinnamon. Puree the ingredients until smooth. If you want a thinner smoothie, add a little more milk. For a thicker smoothie, add a few handfuls of ice. Enjoy the delicious frozen fruit smoothie immediately or fill it into an airtight jar and store it in the refrigerator for a few hours.
Healthy recipe with frozen fruits: lime coconut bowl
This bowl with lime and coconut isthe most refreshing thingof the world!
Ingredients:
- 1 medium banana, peeled and frozen
- Fresh baby spinach, a few leaves
- Some ice cubes
- 50g diced fresh or frozen pineapple
- 50 g chopped, peeled mango or frozen mango pieces
- 50 g Yoghurt
- 25 g sweetened coconut flakes
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons grated lime zest
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon spreadable cream cheese, optional
- Optional: almonds and dark chocolate pieces
Preparation:
Place the first 11 ingredients in a blender and if desired, add the cream cheese. Process all ingredients until smooth and pour into chilled bowls. Serve your bowls immediately and garnish as desired.
