How frozen fruit and veg can help you eat well for less

A huge number of shoppers are cutting back on fresh fruit and veg to save money, but there’s a healthy alternative that many are overlooking - frozen produce.

According to Choose British Peas, more than a third of Brits (34%) are buying less fresh fruit and veg than they were a year ago.

But there’s no reason to go without your recommended five a day.

You can cut costs and still eat healthily by looking in the freezer section.

Frozen produce locks in nutrients

While nearly a quarter are buying frozen foods more in an effort to save money, many shoppers believe frozen fruit and veg isn’t as good as fresh.

And that’s simply not true.

As Peter Judge of Choose British Peas says: “Frozen vegetables such as peas are picked and frozen within just 2.5 hours of harvest, locking in nutrients and freshness.

“In comparison, fresh produce begins to deteriorate from the moment it is harvested - with nutrient loss continuing during transportation and while it sits on supermarket shelves."

Nevertheless, more than three-quarters (76%) of shoppers don’t realise that frozen veg can be more nutritious than fresh.

Frozen produce cuts waste

Buying frozen fruit and veg also helps your shopping go further, as you can use only what you need.

The rest can simply stay in the freezer for another day, rather than sit in the fridge and go off before you get round to eating it.

When you throw away unused fruit and veg, you’re basically throwing money in the bin. 

So by choosing frozen, you’re cutting food waste and making every bit of fruit and veg you buy last longer.

Buying frozen produce also makes it easier to have a variety of fruit and veg on hand, so you can mix it up and keep it interesting every single day.

Can I freeze fresh veg?

Yes. If you have some fresh veg in the fridge that looks a bit past its best, then put it in the freezer instead of the bin.

Vegetables are still fine to use if they’re soft, wrinkly and going a bit brown.

You only need to chuck them if they’re mouldy, slimy or smell bad.

Just chop it up and put it in a freezer bag or container.

Then label it so you know what it is and bung it in the freezer.

You can then throw it in other meals like soup, curry and bolognese at your leisure.

And you can wash down your food with a healthy homemade fruit smoothie.