I’m a nutritionist – these are the surprising foods that are better for you frozen than fresh

The frozen aisle of the supermarket has got bad rap over the years, with many shoppers assuming fresh is best. 

But top diet experts say we’ve got it all wrong — and not enough of us are making use of the frozen section.

It’s not just vegetables and fruit that are recommended. According to leading nutritionist and best-selling author Rhiannon Lambert, even meat and fish may be better for you if they’re frozen. 

‘Fresh meat loses nutrients over time,’ says Lambert, who runs a private nutrition clinic in London’s Harley Street.

‘But freezing or buying frozen meat helps retain both nutrients and flavour.’

She adds that selecting beef or chicken from the freezer aisle may help you avoid additives and preservatives some fresh meat contains to keep it edible for longer.

Freezing fish, meanwhile, can help its heart-healthy fatty acids, like omega-3, stay active. 

Lambert says: ‘A recent study found that most omega-3 in fish remains nutritionally available even after three months of freezing.’

Other foods that are super-boosted frozen include broccoli, sweetcorn, and edamame beans, according to Lambert.  

‘Frozen broccoli often holds more riboflavin (vitamin B2) than its fresh counterpart, which is essential for digestive health and brain function.

‘Putting this in the freezer shortly after harvesting helps lock in essential vitamins and antioxidants, preserving them for longer.’

Nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert is the author of best-selling diet book, Re-Nourish: A Simple Way to Eat Well. 

Meanwhile, frozen peas have roughly the same level of vital nutrients, like vitamin C, as fresh ones, she says. But if you’re a fan of the East Asian bean edamame, you’re better off going for the frozen kind.

‘Edamame has more benefits bought frozen,’ Lambert says, adding that you also get the benefit of soy, which some studies have shown could help reduce pre-menopausal or menopausal symptoms for women.

Not only does fresh spinach go off quickly, it also loses nutrients after a few days. ‘Buying it frozen keeps vitamin C and folate intact for longer, preserving its nutritional value for months.’

When sweetcorn is frozen, the plant is at its ‘peak’, preserving its natural sweetness and nutrient levels, Lambert says. 

‘Frozen corn contains more vitamin C than fresh corn, with fresh sweetcorn also losing up to 50 per cent of its sugar content within 12 hours of being picked, making frozen often a much tastier option.’

Meanwhile, frozen peas have roughly the same level of vital nutrients, like vitamin C, as fresh ones, according to Harley Street nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert.

Lambert’s recommendations come as a new poll of 2,000 Brits found that 84 per cent of shoppers wrongly assume fresh food is healthier than frozen. 

According to the survey, by Iceland foods, three quarters of adults believe fresh fruits and vegetables are healthier than frozen.

Speaking of the findings, Ms Lambert, who has partnered with the store, said: ‘The research confirms that there is a huge gap between consumer perceptions and the reality of frozen food’s quality. 

‘We need to keep pushing and committing to raising awareness of these benefits to empower people to make better-informed choices for themselves and for their families.

‘I’ve been advocating for the benefits of frozen food for years, yet I don’t believe the idea that frozen produce can be more nutritious than fresh is mainstream knowledge yet and we need to do more to get this message across.’