Is Frozen Food Lack Of Nutrition? Here's The Explanation Of Nutritionists

Illustration of the nutritionist's explanation whether frozen foods are less nutritious (Freepic)

YOGYAKARTA 'Impuring food is one way so that food or food is durable. Apart from being frozen, there are other methods, such as being synthesized, absorbing, dried, and many other ways. For how to preserve food by freezing, the goal is not only to preserve materials but also their nutrition. So that doubts about whether frozen food is less nutritious, the expert explains.

According to the Department of Agriculture of the United States (USDA), there are only slight changes in nutritional value during storage in the freezer. However, food must be stored properly so as not to reduce the levels of nutrients it contains.

In more detail, dietist registered from Cleveland Clinic, Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS., RD., whether nutritional content lasts or is frozen, depending on the food. Launching Health, Sunday, February 16, Kirkpatrick explained that some foods have better nutritional bioavailability when heated or cooked before frozen. While some may be better frozen in raw state.

Frozen or crystallizing is the biggest reason why certain nutrients can be lost, said certified dietist Kelsey Costa, MS., RDN. This makes vitamin B and vitamin C disappear because both can dissolve in water. Costa added that this loss is usually very small, and further research is needed to fully understand how food freezes can affect its nutritional array.

If the storage of food in the freezer or refrigerator is done properly, experts say it would be better to preserve food than other ways. Even freezing food can preserve nutrients to some extent, thereby slowing the loss of vitamins that will occur over time. Fruits and vegetables, for example, can be frozen within hours of harvest at peak maturity level so that nutrition can be sealed.

A 2017 study compared vitamin content to fresh food and frozen food. Fresh food is defined as fresh vegetables stored in a refrigerator for five days. The study found no significant changes to the value of the vitamins contained. But it's a big question, is frozen food healthy?

According to Kirkpatrick, the health benefits of frozen food depend on factors such as whether or not there are additional ingredients in food and how far these foods are from their natural state. So if you buy frozen food, it is important to know the process of processing it and how to store it properly. How to cook frozen food, it is recommended to steam it, not boiled it. Because by boiling it can dissolve or reduce vitamins.

Vegetables and frozen fruit, at least have to be consumed within 8-12 months for optimal quality. But it needs to be understood, storing fresh food longer can cause food safety problems.