Most older adults want flavorful, convenient, and healthy meals. However, after hospitalization or managing a chronic illness, it may not be possible to shop and prepare meals. There are a variety of meal services that provide home-delivered meal options. Before making your choice, you may want to consider the benefits of frozen home-delivered meals.
With nutritious, wholesome, and convenient dishes in high demand, frozen meals are the perfect solution. Yet there is still a commonly held belief that they are just processed and filled with preservatives. And while that may have been true 20 years ago, the food industry has evolved with pressure from health-conscious consumers who are looking for healthier frozen meals that are easier to find and prepare.
How healthy? A two-year 2017 study conducted by the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis reported that in the majority of comparisons between nutrients within the categories of fresh, frozen and “fresh-stored,” the results showed no significant differences in assessed vitamin contents. And in some situations, frozen produce was more nutritious than its five-day fresh-stored counterpart. So while freshly made meals are something we’re always hungry for, it might be time to start rethinking food for the better – and we’re helping by debunking myths just like this one.
Frozen Produce Has Full Potential
When it comes to fresh produce, each passing day from farm to table causes a loss in nutrients. However, since frozen produce doesn’t become flash-frozen until fully ripened, they not only retain vitamins and minerals, but there is no change to the carb, protein, and fat content. In fact, in some cases, some frozen foods have more vitamins and nutrients than fresh foods.
Food Safety is Even Safer
One of the most common causes of foodborne illness has to do with temperature control, especially as new delivery companies and distribution channels make their way into the market. But with the “cold chain” process, food is kept at or near freezing temps, which means food delivery routes can be extended without compromising quality or safety.
Flexibility is Served
As frozen meals continue to soar in popularity, one thing is for sure: enjoying a nutritious and delicious meal is more convenient than ever. And with easy ordering, scheduling, and delivery options, they are more customized, too. From patients temporarily homebound to older adults looking for an easier way to get the nutrient-packed food they need, home-delivered frozen meals free up time and eliminate added stress.
No matter what you’re looking for in you or your loved one's meal options, frozen dishes have proven to be just as healthy, and are oftentimes a more affordable way to fulfill nutritional needs without sacrificing flavor. For more information on how GA Foods can make healthy meals more convenient with Sunmeadow® frozen or shelf-stable meals, please contact us today.
