Healthy Grocery Shopping: Navigation Tips for Your Shopping Cart Frozen Food Aisle

Frozen Food Variations & Types Within the frozen food aisles, one can find frozen varieties of: –Vegetables and Fruits –Desserts including Ice Cream Novelties, Pies, and Cakes –TV Dinners –Pizzas –Breads and Dough –Potatoes including French Fries and Tater Tots –Breakfast Items –Premade Frozen Dinner Entrees

Frozen Food Aisle Locations The frozen food aisles are typically located next to the produce section. –Therefore, the three to four aisles of frozen food items comprise the first few aisles of the store. Shopping Tip: –Begin your shopping in the last aisle of the grocery and work your way back to the frozen foods to prevent thawing.

Frozen Food Facts Most frozen dinner entrees and TV dinners have a high sodium content. –While convenient, these high sodium options should be chosen sparingly. For convenience, many frozen food items can go straight from the freezer to the stove or microwave for cooking and do not require thawing.

Frozen Food Nutrition Tips Steaming frozen vegetables in excess water can deplete their nutrient density. Thaw frozen food items, especially meat products, in the refrigerator to prevent the growth of bacteria. Frozen fruit is a great option to use in desserts, smoothies, and on top of cereal.

Healthy Recipe Strawberry-Banana Smoothie 1 cup frozen strawberries 1 cup frozen bananas 8 ice cubes 2 1/2 cups low fat or non-fat milk –Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth and enjoy. –Makes about 3-5 cups.

Frozen Food Freshness Tips Flash Freezing is the process of instantly freezing produce after harvest. –Produce that goes through this process immediately after harvest is shown to contain more nutrients than fresh produce. –Flash freezing prevents nutrients from being lost between the time of harvest and the time the produce hits the shelves.

Food Group Recommendation A healthy selection can be found from every level of the food guide pyramid within the frozen food aisles. –Fruits: Strawberries –Vegetables: Broccoli –Grains: Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls –Meat and Beans: Grilled Fish Filets –Dairy: Fat Free Frozen Yogurt –Oils: Cool Whip for the Strawberries!