Does frozen fruit lose any of its nutritional benefits?

Question

I often make fruit smoothies, and it's much more convenient to use frozen fruit because it lasts much longer, and tastes better in a smoothie (gives it more of an icy texture). So I usually buy bags of frozen fruit (a brand called Europe's Best, it's about $5 for a 1lb, 5 oz bag and it's very good) and mix those fruits (usually strawberries, pineapple or blueberries) in along with a frozen banana, ice cubes, ground flax seed and orange juice.

I enjoy the smoothies but mostly drink them for the health benefits...so I'm wondering if using frozen fruit over fresh fruit has any effect on the fruits' nutritional values, or if there are any negatives? Same with vegetables, because I sometimes eat frozen veggies (though they don't taste as good).

Answer 1

It must be fairly good as Ann Wigmore includes ice cream made mainly from frozen fruit in her "Recipes for Longer Life" and she was the raw food guru, well known for wheatgrass juice.

I have also done a web search and in appears Europe's don't cook their fruit, just chop and freeze it, the only downside there is it isn't organic. I daresay if they don't taste quite as good they may have lost a little nutrition.

Another way that nutrients/enzymes can be lost is from the type of juicer / food processors that you use. Many juicing advocates will recommend a wheatgrass type juicer to get the most nutrients and juice from your fruit. These juicers also do "ice cream" and butters. But, of course it also depends on what equipment you have and the fresh juice from the other juicers is still good.

It's great you add the ground flax seed, you could also try things like wheatgrass or barley grass or spirulina powder (or combo powders) for an extra boost.

Answer 2

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Frozen fruits and vegetables, so long as they have been stored properly and for no more than a few months, are found to be almost as nutritious as very fresh fruits & vegetables. Moreover, frozen has been found to be more nutritious than fresh fruits and vegetables that have been around for awhile (days to weeks). So you are doing well by using frozen fruit.

Answer 3

Fresh is best, but frozen are a close second. The only bummer (especially for raw folks) is that a lot of it is blanched before freezing.

I like the convenience of frozen fruit in my smoothies. If it's between eating lots of frozen or very-little-to-no fresh, i'll take the 2nd best frozen.

Answer 4

Frozen usually means processed which could mean a lot of things. Check the nutritional chart and compare to that of fresh.
PS My normal breakfast is a 5 fruit smoothie... A green apple works better than coffee in waking you up in the morning too...

Answer 5

In general, fresh is best. Travel and time off the vine or tree makes all plants start to lose vitamins. Flash freezing, where the fruit is frozen quickly soon after it is picked, helps preserve these nutrients. So, if you aren't buying it from your local farmer's market or picking it yourself, you're probably better off using frozen. And frozen is ALWAYS better than canned.

Answer 6

Fruit and veg if snap frozen at the best within 12 to 24hrs of harvesting should retain most of nutrients. eating frozen is better than not eating any at all. But fresh is always best. so long as it doesn't sit in your fridge for more than a few days as it too looses its nutritional value. so in that instance frozen would be better but to better that would be fruit and vege garden which is one of my goals. there is nothing better than shopping in your own backyard for the evening meal. hope this helps you.