Trying to keep up with a healthy diet isn't always easy, especially if you don't have time to regularly head to the supermarket and restock your fridge with all the fruits, veggies, and healthy protein sources your body needs.
Buying too much fresh food at once could see you end up chucking it in the bin if you don't use it before it goes off, which not only contributes to food waste but can also be a huge waste of money - which isn't ideal when food prices are skyrocketing.
Thankfully though, one dietician has claimed there are some foods that are actually healthier to buy frozen instead of fresh, meaning you can fill up your freezer and only take out what you need when you need it.
Nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert told The Sun that plenty of foods retain their nutritional value once they've been frozen, and insisted there's nothing wrong with buying certain frozen products instead of fresh ones.
She said: "Frozen foods such as fruits and vegetables, fish, and meats and even breads that are fortified with vitamins and minerals, are just as nutritious as fresh.
"Frozen items tend to be cheaper than most fresh produce too so these are a great option if you're looking to save some money."
Among the foods that are both healthier and cheaper to buy frozen is the humble frozen pea, which many of us will already have a bag of in our freezers as they're quick and easy to add to a meal in a pinch.
Peas also contain fibre, antioxidants, and vitamins, so you shouldn't hesitate when it comes to sticking a handful in a rice dish or even serving some up with your roast dinner.
Frozen broccoli is also a great alternative to fresh produce, according to Rihannon, as the veg doesn't lose nutrients when frozen so is just as good at improving gut health, brain health, and immune function as it is when you cook it fresh.
Another product you can stick in your freezer for when you need it is chopped garlic, which is not only cheaper than buying fresh bulbs, but also cuts out the faff of peeling and chopping - or mincing - each clove.
Even when frozen, you can continue reaping the benefits of chopped garlic in your dishes, as its main active ingredient, allicin, can support your immune system to fight viruses.
You can even make the most of frozen fruit in your diet, as berries keep hold of many of their antioxidants even when they've been stuck in the freezer. Buying fresh berries means using the whole punnet in a couple of days as they quickly go mouldy, but buying frozen will make them last much longer.
And finally, Rihannon advocated for buying frozen fish, as it can be much more accessible than fresh fish for those on a budget. Freezing won't dampen its nutritional value and you'll still be able to gain the benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D and B2 it contains.
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