Frozen foods: Dose of nutrition in 5 minutes?

From chicken seekh kebabs to jeera rice and dal anything can be prepared within five minutes thanks to the innovation of frozen foodsThe advent of frozen food dates back to the early 20th century but frozen food became commercially viable in the 1940s Clarence Birdseye an American entrepreneur is credited with developing the quickfreezing method revolutionising the frozen food industry Frozen foods grew more popular with home freezers in the 50sMarch of every year is marked as the Frozen Food Month to raise awareness about the convenience of frozen foods and its other benefits In India however where preparing meals from fresh vegetables and fruits holds cultural as well as health significance many myths revolve around consuming frozen foods On the occasion of Frozen Food Month 2024 Middaycom spoke to health experts who weigh the pros and cons of frozen foodsPratiksha Kadam consultant dietitian Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Navi Mumbai says ldquoFrozen foods are types of edibles that have been subjected to freezing to increase their shelf livesrdquoldquoThese foods include fruits vegetables meats readytoeat meals and other food products that are kept at subzero temperatures to inhibit bacterial growth and maintain nutritional qualityrdquo adds Jashan Vij vijjashan health and fat loss coachAlso Read Add more flavour to your mundane breakfast with these chefspecial egg recipeHow are frozen foods madeVij Frozen foods are made by rapidly freezing fresh food items to extremely low temperatures The process involves blanching briefly boiling vegetables or precooking meat followed by rapid freezing to 18 degrees Celsius or lower This prevents the formation of large ice crystals preserving nutritional contentKadam The freezing process slows down the growth of microorganisms and enzymes that cause food to spoil thereby maintaining its quality and safety Freezing the food helps maintain its texture colour and taste It can then be put into hermetic containers or bags to prevent both freezer burn and contaminationHow can frozen foods be harmful to healthKadam Frozen foods can contain significant amounts of salt additives and preservatives which can result in issues like hypertension heart attack as well as obesity Furthermore some may be packed with unhealthy fats or lacking vital nutrients leading to a poor quality diet generallyVij Prolonged consumption can also contribute to nutrient loss increased sodium intake and potential health issues such as heart disease and high blood pressureHow do frozen foods especially harm childrenrsquos healthKadam Children suffer most from the negative effects of such harmful ingredients and additives found in certain types of frozen meals It can eventually lead to chronic diseases later in life stunted growth and development among young people as well as childhoodonset obesity Such convenience inherent in using these types of food might also make you like processed foods instead of fresh healthy foodsWhat are some common frozen foods easily available in the marketKadam Common examples include preserved vegetables fruits pizzas meals like chicken dinners desserts such as ice cream and snacks In many cases they are precooked or prepared and then sold when they are cold to cater for instant needsVij Common examples include frozen vegetables fruits pizzas chicken nuggets fish sticks ice cream and various readytoeat meals like lasagna or burritosAlso Read Aglio e Olio to Bolognese Spaghetti Relish restaurantstyle spaghetti at home with chefspecial recipesAre there any health benefits of frozen foodsKadam According to the text if properly frozen such products may keep their nutritional value well and provide easy access to fruits and vegetables even during their offseason period They can also prevent food waste by extending the shelf life of perishablesVij Frozen foods can retain their nutritional value especially when frozen shortly after harvest They offer convenience and reduce food waste Additionally some frozen fruits and vegetables may have similar or even higher nutritional content compared to fresh produceWhat are some common misconceptions people have regarding frozen foodBoth Kadam and Vij share the following common misconceptions about frozen food1 Frozen foods are not as healthy as fresh ones2 All frozen foods contain a lot of unhealthy preservatives and additives3 Frozen foods do not taste as good as fresh ones4 Frozen foods lack nutritional value Some assume that freezing destroys all nutrients which is not entirely accurateWhich frozen foods do more harm and must be avoidedKadam The worst kinds of frozen foods include those that contain unhealthy fats sodium added sugars or lack important nutrients Some examples are highcalorie lownutrient contented desserts pizzas and readymade meals which fall within this categoryVij Highly processed frozen meals with excessive added preservatives sodium and unhealthy fats are often considered less healthy These can contribute to a diet lacking in essential nutrients and may lead to health issues if consumed regularlyEven veggies and fruits are sold in frozen form Are they healthyKadam Frozen fruits and vegetables can be healthy as most are typically frozen at their prime ripeness thus retaining their nutrient contents Nevertheless some types may have added sugars or sauces that lower their healthiness Care ought to be taken in choosing frozen fruits and vegetables without extra sugars or sauces to ensure great health benefitsAlso Read Under the weather Try these recipes of comfort foods with unique twistsDo you believe frozen foods are a larger part of Indiarsquos dietKadam Frozen foods are becoming a larger part of the Indian diet due to changing lifestyles increased urbanisation and the convenience they offer Busy lifestyles plus the desire for convenient options have seen many people across India turning to frozen foods as an easy method of preparing meals However traditional fresh foods still play a significant role in Indian cuisine especially in rural areas where access to frozen foods is limitedCan frozen foods be addictiveKadam Frozen food items can be addictive especially due to the high levels of unhealthy fats as well as sugar and salt These components trigger pleasure centers in the brain leading to craving for more and increased consumption Furthermore it is easy to serve frozen meals when one wants a fast meal or snackIf one wishes to avoid consuming frozen food and yet have options for quick meals one can opt for convenient alternatives to processed meals These include fresh produce whole grains lean meat fish and homemade meals that have been prepared earlier and refrigerated These substitutes offer the same convenience but with increased nutrient value as well as reduced risks associated with harmful chemicals