Feel the Chill: The Truth About Healthy Frozen Meals

There’s no reason to give frozen foods the cold shoulder anymore.

BY VICKI MARTINEZ

Are you looking for healthy food options that are convenient, easy to prepare and don't expire after a week? It's time to take a stroll through the frozen food aisles.

Nowadays, freezer cases are filled with more than French fries and sweet treats. “The days of bland, unhealthy frozen food are over, brands can no longer get away with neglecting taste and quality in favor of profit,” says Sam Dennigan, founder and CEO of Strong Roots, a plant-based frozen food B Corporation.

Over the last several years, frozen food brands have stepped up to meet the demands of consumers who want minimally processed, healthy frozen foods with gluten-free, plant-based and organic options.

“As the frozen aisle began to expand into new categories, focus on freshness and upgrade offerings, perceptions of frozen foods began to change dramatically,” says Dennigan. “Frozen foods registered $65.1 billion in US retail sales in 2020, a 21 percent increase over the previous year, while online sales of frozen food increased 75 percent.”

For some inspiration on how to take healthy frozen foods to the next level, try these recipes:

Mixed Root Vegetable Fry ‘Poutine’

Tomato Soup with Cauliflower Hash Browns

Cauliflower Hash Brown Beet Hummus Toasts

Healthy Frozen Meals Are … Healthy!

The first question that probably comes to mind in a discussion about frozen foods: Are frozen vegetables healthy?

Researchers asked that same question. Their study, published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, found that frozen produce has as much nutritional value as fresh produce. They also found that, over time, frozen foods are healthier than fresh produce because frozen foods do not lose nutrients during storage, whereas fresh produce begins to lose its nutritional value the longer it’s stored.

In addition to nutrition, there are many other reasons to add healthy frozen foods to your shopping list.

Healthy Frozen Meals Are … Healthy!

The first question that probably comes to mind in a discussion about frozen foods: Are frozen vegetables healthy?

In addition to nutrition, there are many other reasons to add healthy frozen foods to your shopping list.

Try: Strong Roots Mixed Root Vegetable Fries

Convenience

“Convenience is an undeniable motivator for many consumers. Lifestyles are shifting and the convenience of frozen is seeing a huge increase in market size, value and trajectory,” says Dennigan. Frozen foods are fast, simple and healthy all wrapped together in one convenient package, perfect for people with busy lifestyles.

Convenience

Budget-friendly

Most frozen vegetables cost less per pound than their fresh counterparts. And, how often have you had to throw away spoiled fresh fruits and vegetables that were hiding in the back of your produce drawer? You get an additional cost-benefit (indirectly saving money) when you choose frozen over fresh.

Budget-friendly

Longer shelf life

On average, frozen foods can be stored for eight to ten months without losing any nutritional value. And because frozen foods can be preserved long-term without changing or going bad, healthy frozen foods are preservative-free.

Longer shelf life

Less food waste

Many of the best frozen meals come in pre-portioned serving sizes. This is a great way to reduce the amount of uneaten scraps or leftovers that may not get eaten.

“There are great frozen plant-based options out there right now, and we’re only at the beginning of the market curve for it,” says Dennigan.

Less food waste

Many of the best frozen meals come in pre-portioned serving sizes. This is a great way to reduce the amount of uneaten scraps or leftovers that may not get eaten.

“There are great frozen plant-based options out there right now, and we’re only at the beginning of the market curve for it,” says Dennigan.