Is Frozen Fruit Bad For You?
Short answer
No, frozen fruit is not bad for you. Moreover, it’s often healthier because the nutrient breakdown is halted by freezing. However, buying frozen fruits with added sugar significantly reduces the nutritional value.
Recommended Alternative
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Frozen fruit is the busy person’s solution to getting more fruit in their diet. Studies have shown that freezing both fruit and vegetables arrests nutrient breakdown, preserving benefits until the food can be consumed. As fruit is preserved through ‘flash freezing’, it maintains up to 90% of the original nutrients; whereas, many refrigerated fruits lose nutrients through oxidation and decomposition. Choosing frozen fruits can also save money, as you will not need to worry about them expiring right away. They are usually edible within two years of the processed date (marked on the bag).
However, some frozen fruit companies like to add sugar to the bag to make the fruit sweeter (and therefore more likely to be purchased). You can usually tell which bags have added sugars by their label. Phrasing such as “lightly sweetened” on the front indicates added sugar, and of course, you can check the ingredient list for both sugar and artificial sweeteners (which come with their own problems).
Another thing to consider with frozen fruit is its ability to harbor the foodborne pathogen listeria. Listeria does not occur in the fruit on its own, but if frozen food is exposed to this bacterium at any stage in the packaging process, freezing the food does not halt its growth. If you cook frozen food, this bacterium dies. However, since frozen fruit is generally consumed without cooking, shoppers should be cautioned to check the FDA website for any frozen fruit recalls before purchasing. In May-2016, a nationwide (U.S.) frozen food recall—including frozen fruit—was issued after eight people were diagnosed with a strain of listeria that matched a strain found in frozen food distribution company CRF’s facility in Pasco, Washington, resulting in a recall that affected 72 brands of organic and non-organic frozen vegetables and fruit.
Ultimately, frozen fruit, when purchased without add sweeteners, is just as healthy as fresh fruit. Freezing fruit actually preserves nutrients better than leaving them as whole produce in the refrigerator. In order to receive optimal nutrition, avoid frozen fruits with added sweeteners. You can use frozen fruit in cooking if you wish to eliminate the threat of food poisoning, for such foods like jams or baking pies.
Possible short-term side effects
- illness from bacteria (unlikely)
Possible long-term side effects
- increased blood sugar
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diabetes
Ingredients to be aware of
- artificial sweeteners
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sugar
Benefits
- a source of fiber
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a source of vitamins
-
boosts the immune system
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healthier heart
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healthy blood pressure, cholesterol levels
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low in fat and sodium
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holds nutrients longer than fresh fruits
Healthier alternatives
- fresh fruit from a local garden
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Wyman’s Wild Blueberries
- Preservative-free
- Non-GMO certified
- Freshly frozen
- Bulk 18-pound total
- Convenient 3LB bags
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by DeeAnne Oldham
Published on: 06-04-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by DeeAnne Oldham
Published on: 06-04-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023