Canned vs. Frozen Food: What’s Healthier?

There’s nothing tastier than fresh fruits and vegetables, but if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to add some variety to your diet, frozen and canned foods are a great alternative. There are healthy options in frozen and canned food, and one’s not healthier than the other, but there are pros and cons to each and here’s what you should keep in mind when deciding which to buy.

Frozen Foods

Pros

For frozen fruits and vegetables, they are usually frozen after harvest and for seafood and fish, it’s usually frozen after it’s caught. Although the calories and macronutrients don’t change, frozen fruit and vegetables typically have higher nutrient contents compared to harvested products that have spent time being shipped or sitting on shelves. You also have the option of getting blended options like broccoli and cauliflower which are great for stir-fries and berry medleys which are perfect for smoothies. They’re cost-effective and you don’t have to spend time peeling, cutting, chopping, and sorting them.

Cons

Frozen foods can contain more added sugar, salt, and preservatives. Make sure you read the nutrition labels and look for whole foods with few ingredients.

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Canned Foods

Pros

Canned foods are affordable, they have a long shelf life, and they’re easier to store than frozen ones. They’re time-saving and convenient—you don’t have to boil, simmer, or season them to enjoy the taste.

Cons

The downside to canned foods is that the flavor and texture can be a bit off and there’s salt, sugar, and preservatives added to them. Canned fruits packed in their own juices means there’s tons of sugar added. Make sure to read the labels and choose options without salt or sugar added.