Some influencers have built entire social media empires by making everything from scratch. Often times, their videos carry an implicit sense of moral superiority, suggesting that you’re not a good parent (or at least not like As good as they are) if you resort to store-bought ready-made items. Those who choose their own products and painstakingly Handcraft their own candy necklaces Simply working harder, and loving their children more, is key better.
But this proposal is not fair. For the vast majority of people—those who don’t make a living off of healthy content or have an endless amount of time and money to burn—canned, frozen, and packaged stuff is always a more practical option. “Grocery is wealth,” after all, Anthea Levy, MS, RD, Fresh items tend to be the most expensive, as a trip to the produce section of the supermarket will easily prove, says Brooklyn-based health writer and founder of Alive+Well Nutrition.
Besides the low price, canned, frozen and packaged foods have another major advantage: their shelf life. “You can keep it in the fridge for months, so it often gives people confidence” in purchasing, since they know they don’t have an expiration date hanging over their heads, Desiree Nielsen, RDa recipe developer with a focus on plant-based nutrition, tells SELF. This, in turn, leads to less food waste: “Fresh salad greens are notorious for getting sticky in the fridge, but you’ll never have that problem with frozen spinach. It’s the same with fish. Fresh fish should be cooked as quickly as possible before it’s done, while frozen fish and canned or canned fish last until you’re ready to use them,” Levy says.
Nielsen also takes issue with the basic idea that these options are somehow inherently inferior, which is a “very big misconception” in her view. “There’s been a lot of confusion about what these foods are in general,” she says. “Just because something is processed or packaged doesn’t mean it’s unhealthy.”
In other words, it’s often perfectly fine to include canned, frozen, or packaged items in your diet — and you shouldn’t feel embarrassed, ashamed, or inadequate if they frequently appear in your meals (or if your first resort is fresh foods). “Constant access to fresh foods is unfortunately a luxury. If canned, frozen, or packaged foods are the only way you can put fruits or vegetables on your plate, go for it,” Levy says. But if you’re still concerned about the health aspect, there are some key ways to maximize nutritional value and improve the overall experience. Here’s what to know to make the most of your freezer stash.
