How good is frozen food for health

February 12,Kathmandu. In this fast -paced world, everyone is in a hurry. Nobody has time. People want to achieve everything in less time. This change in lifestyle and lack of time has completely changed people's eating habits.

Now people like ready-to-eat meals like packaged, processed and frozen foods. These food items are very convenient for those who have a busy lifestyle. Frozen foods can be taken out of the freezer and eaten immediately by deep frying them in oil or frying them in an air fryer. This saves a lot of time.

However, there is still a debate on whether eating frozen foods is good for health or not. Many people consider it harmful for health. But the question is what science, doctors and nutritionists have to say about this.

What are frozen foods?

Every food item has a shelf life. We do not get some fruits or vegetables throughout the year. In such a situation, these foods are stored in cold temperature to keep them fresh for a long time. This maintains their shelf life. For example, peas, carrots, broccoli, spinach, strawberries etc.

Are frozen foods really edible?

Dietitian and nutritionist says that frozen foods are edible, provided preservatives are not added to them. Keeping some foods in the freezer can cause a loss of nutrients in them. This depends on how they have been frozen and for how long they have been stored. In this process, there may be some loss in water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and B.

What kind of health problems can be caused by eating frozen snacks or ready-to-eat food?

Hydrogenated palm oil is used in frozen snacks or ready-to-eat food, which contains unhealthy fats. Often these food items contain more salt, sugar and preservatives, which are harmful for health. Eating them for a long time can cause many types of health problems.

High sodium content

Often frozen meals and snacks contain high amounts of sodium i.e. salt. Sodium increases the shelf life of frozen foods, so that it does not spoil for a long time. However, due to high sodium, eating them for a long time increases the risk of serious diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association recommends an adult to eat 2,300 mg of sodium per day, but many frozen foods contain sodium equal to or much more than this amount.

Unhealthy Fats

Unhealthy fat is found in frozen snacks like pizza, samosa, spring rolls and patties. It increases bad cholesterol (LDL). This is the reason why it increases the risk of heart disease. Also, unhealthy fat contains high amount of calories, which increases the risk of obesity and diabetes.

What things should be kept in mind while using frozen foods?

While using frozen foods, read its label carefully. Look at the nutrition information on the label such as sodium, trans fat, sugar content. Apart from this, keep some other things in mind. 

 For how many days can frozen fruits and vegetables be used?

Dietitian says that one should avoid using fruits and vegetables kept in the refrigerator for a long time because the amount of vitamins and minerals in them decreases. Also, their taste may also change. If the color of the fruits and vegetables changes or rotting is seen in them despite keeping them in the freezer, it means that they are no longer edible. Eating such fruits and vegetables can be harmful for health.

What is the shelf life of frozen foods?

The shelf life of frozen foods depends on the type of food and the temperature at which it is kept. The shelf life of frozen foods is longer than that of fresh food. Some frozen foods can last for 3 to 6 months. For this, it is important to keep some things in mind.