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Young brunette woman buys fresh frozen food in the store<\/p>\n
The items are cool by nature \u2014 but are they healthy?<\/p>\n
The freezer aisle is a stop on many a grocery shopper\u2019s run, whether they\u2019re picking up some frozen veggies or getting a pint of ice cream.<\/p>\n
While we might think of frozen foods as inherently unhealthy, it turns out the chilling method doesn\u2019t matter that much, according to registered dietitian Maya Feller<\/a>.<\/p>\n Frozen food has gotten a bad health rap, but one dietitian notes that there are healthy options in the freezer aisle. progressman \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n \u201cIngredients and how the food is prepared impact the nutritional value, not the freezing itself,\u201d Feller told The Post on behalf of Amy\u2019s Kitchen<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cFreezing is a preservation method that can deliver you a more nutrient-dense meal when high-quality ingredients are frozen at peak ripeness.\u201d<\/p>\n That doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s OK to fill your cart with tubs of Ben & Jerry\u2019s<\/a>.<\/p>\n Instead, Feller suggests reaching for the same staples that are recommended to support healthy eating patterns<\/a>, such as fruits, veggies and whole grains, for convenience and cost-efficiency.<\/p>\n Buying frozen beef, chicken and fish, for example, can preserve the flavor and nutrients<\/a> that fresh options naturally lose over time.<\/p>\n According to dietitian Maya Feller, ingredients and preparation matter more than if the food is frozen. Tatiana \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n Shoppers should also keep in mind how the foods were prepared, as ultra-processed foods have been linked to a higher risk of obesity,\u00a0heart disease<\/a>, Type 2 diabetes,\u00a0certain cancers<\/a>\u00a0and even premature death.<\/p>\n \u201cI suggest looking for frozen foods that are closer to their whole and minimally processed forms, as they\u2019re more likely to contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, whole grains and heart-healthy fats that are supportive of whole body health,\u201d Feller explained.<\/p>\n Though it may be tempting to reach for prepared frozen meals when we\u2019re too tired to cook, Feller suggests ones that are \u201cintentionally sourced and made with organic plant-forward ingredients.\u201d<\/p>\n These are more likely to contain good-for-you phytonutrients and fiber, along with plant-based protein.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of my personal favorites is Amy\u2019s Mexican Casserole Bowl<\/a> because it is full of flavorful veggies, and delivers 6 grams of fiber and 12 grams of protein,\u201d Feller said.<\/p>\n She said it\u2019s also important to keep an eye on ingredients like sodium that can affect heart health, as the American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium<\/a> per day (about 1 teaspoon of salt).<\/p>\n And while the siren\u2019s call of those frozen desserts may be tempting, it\u2019s best to limit or avoid them.<\/p>\n \u201cOptions that have an abundance of added sugars and added fats contain ingredients that are more likely to contribute to metabolic dysfunction,\u201d Feller said.<\/p>\n Still, she acknowledges the dilemma many families across the country face accessing safe, affordable and nourishing food<\/a>, noting that there\u2019s no one worst food in the freezer aisle.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to emphasize doing the best with what\u2019s available,\u201d she said. \u201cThe worst food in the frozen aisle is one that a person is allergic to or one that is expired.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Frozen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/b837b31b7a5901235c241acf95fc0d22.jpeg\"\/)
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