Frozen Fruits, Veggies As Healthy As Fresh?

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Fresh fruit and vegetables are tempting this time of year, but sometimes fresh is not an option. In that case, is frozen or canned a healthy alternative?

"Fresh is better, canned is quicker," said Katherine Blanton, a shopper at a Raleigh-area farmer's market.

"I grew up in the country, so to speak -- rural North Carolina. So I definitely know the difference, and I prefer fresh any day," shopper Betsy Phillips said.

Fresh has many meanings.

Fruits and vegetables at farmer's markets and roadside stands are usually just out of the ground. Fresh produce at the grocery store may be several days old.

The longer fresh produce is exposed to air and to light, the greater the nutrient loss, reported WRAL-TV in Raleigh. So sometimes frozen is a better choice.

Frozen produce is taken from the field and immediately cleaned and frozen. So it maintains maximum nutrients.

It is also a myth that canned fruits and vegetables are inferior. They are just as high in vitamins. Just look for brands with the least amount of salt or sugar.

And whatever style of fruits and vegetables you choose -- fresh, frozen, canned -- the most important thing is that you eat them.

Here is some advice to get the most out of your purchase:

• When buying frozen fruits or vegetables, make sure they are not clumped together -- the products should move freely.
• Avoid boxed frozen fruits or vegetables with colored stains. These are signs that thawing and refreezing have taken place, which could rob foods of nutrients.
• Use frozen vegetables within six months of purchase and most canned vegetables within two years.