Editor’s Note: In “Hey, Health Coach,” Sarah Hays Coomer answers reader questions about the intersection of health and overall well-being. Have a question? Send her a message (and don’t forget to use a sleuthy pseudonym!).
Hey, Health Coach,
I’m trying to eat more whole foods and struggling to eat them all before they go bad. I live alone and want to eat healthier, but I feel so wasteful throwing out rotted, fresh food. Are frozen vegetables unhealthy?
— Veggie Monster
It sounds like you’re well aware that fresh fruits and vegetables are fantastic for your health. In a perfect world, we would all have the time and money to buy locally grown produce, prepare it, preserve it and eat healthy meals at every sitting. However, we don’t live in a perfect world. Life is demanding, and, as you mention, there are lots of situations where fresh produce isn’t accessible or manageable.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults eat 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit and 2 to 3 cups of vegetables daily. However, only one in 10 Americans meets those recommendations—often because of legitimate challenges like living alone or in a food desert or not having access to fruits and vegetables at work or school . Cost can also be prohibitive, especially if you’re trying to buy organic produce, and lots of people simply don’t live in climates where they have year-round access to local fruits and vegetables.
It can be frustrating to feel like you want to eat well but are falling short. Like you, my clients report a lot of stress around food prep and waste, and, of course, stress isn’t helpful for your long-term health. What’s more, throwing spoiled food away can feel like tossing money straight into the garbage can.
Fortunately, we have options. There are lots of ways to include frozen fruits and vegetables in a healthy diet. Roasting a bunch of frozen broccoli florets on a sheet pan with olive oil, salt and red pepper flakes is one of my favorite easy side dishes.
Frozen food can also be whole food. If you want the simplest options, just keep an eye out to be sure the products you’re buying don’t contain added salt or sugar.
(Note: Product details and pricing are accurate as of the publication date and are subject to change.)
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