How I Make Meal Planning Easier
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Frozen Food Foundation for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
I have shared with you guys before that I am a huge fan of frozen vegetables. I prefer frozen fruits and veggies to canned any day of the week.Â
Did you know that freezing fruits and vegetables is a natural pause button for fresh fruits and vegetables. It is a way to enjoy your produce year round and out of season. You will see frozen vegetables and sides in my weekly meal plans often.Â
Ninety perfect of American’s fail to meet the dietary recommended consumption of vegetables  every day. One day that I make veggies available to my family is to offer a vegetable side dish and I am always stocking up on frozen asparagus, brussels sprouts, broccoli and more!Â
Here is one of my favorite ways to cook frozen asparagus. While this is typically a spring vegetable, we can eat it year round by grabbing the frozen variety.Â
Asparagus is high in Zinc, Magnesium and Calcium.Â
–Magnesium is a mineral that helps the body generate energy from the foods we eat and is required for the action of many enzyme systems and also plays a role in maintaining healthy bones and a healthy heart.
–Zinc is necessary for healthy growth and development, and plays a role in immune function, wound healing, blood clotting and thyroid function.
–Calcium is a mineral that aids in maintaining bone health, bone and tooth development, blood pressure regulation and nerve and muscle function.
I am doing good things for my family when we cook asparagus!Â
Research also shows that 80% of American’s are not consuming enough fruits. We love frozen fruit and use them in desserts sometimes. (They are AMAZING in smoothies too!)Â
Have you ever made a fruit cobbler in the slow cooker? We love this blueberry version.Â
Blueberries are a nice source of Vitamin C and fiber and antioxidants.Â
–Vitamin CÂ is a water-soluble vitamin that may help support a healthy immune system. Vitamin C can help collagen production which is important for maintenance of healthy skin, bones, teeth and gums, cartilage, muscle and blood vessels.
Diets rich in dietary fiber have been shown to have a number of beneficial effects, including decreased risk of coronary heart disease and improved digestive health.
Another thing I love to do is incorporate frozen veggies, like carrots, in with my slow cooker roast when I am cooking it. We all know that carrots are high in beta carotene. There is ZERO compromised flavor by using frozen carrots in my roast.Â
–Beta Carotene is one of a group of red, orange, and yellow pigments called carotenoids. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A, an essential nutrient. It has antioxidant activity, which helps to protect cells from damage. Beta-carotene and other carotenoids provide approximately 50% of the vitamin A needed in the American diet. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for proper vision and a healthy immune system, and helps form and maintain healthy skin, teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, and mucus membranes.
The study I mentioned earlier is one that the The University of California-Davis (UC Davis), in partnership with the Frozen Food Foundation, conducted an in-depth study to evaluate the nutrient content of eight commonly-purchased frozen and fresh fruits and vegetables:
- The study analyzed vitamins B2 (riboflavin), C and E, and B-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A); the minerals calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper and iron; dietary fiber; and total phenolics (health-promoting plant compounds).
- Results reveal that frozen fruits and vegetables are most often (or generally) nutritionally equal to – and in some cases better than – their fresh counterparts.
Follow the Frozen Food Foundation Facebook page and the Frozen Food Foundation Twitter page to stay up to date!Â
Keep these facts in mind the next time you’re at the grocery store. Personally, I am hooked on frozen vegetables and their affordability and convenience. Â
Are you?
They sure do make meal planning easier for this mama!Â
