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We all love those bite sized frozen treats, because let’s face it, they are quick to prep and are absolutely delicious. But we are forgetting one thing that depending too much on frozen food can be dangerous for our body.
Enjoying a non-seasonal delicacy is fine once in a while, but being addicted to frozen meat, fruits, veggies or other gourmet products is not a wise choice. The biggest reason being – most of them are not seasonal, and the nutritional quality is really very low.
But apart from this, there are seven huge problems that come with eating frozen food. Here they are:
1. Risk of diabetes
Starch is used to keep the frozen food items fresh. This starch helps in adding taste and texture to the food. The starch gets converted into sugar, before digestion takes place. Any rise in sugar levels can put you at a risk of diabetes.
2. Risk of heart disease
“Packaged or frozen food items contain trans fats that increase the risk of getting heart disease, and are also linked to clogged arteries. This fat increases bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body and lowers the good cholesterol (HDL). All this contributes to heart illness. Sodium is also high in such food items, which can also raise cholesterol levels in the body,” reveals celebrity nutritionist Manisha Chopra.
3. Weight gain or obesity
Frozen food items are extremely high in fat. The ratio of fats to carbs and proteins in these foods is almost double, which is why they are loaded with calories.
4. Negligible nutritional value
Freezing food for a long time may kill some important vitamins and minerals present in the items. Hence, frozen foods are not as nutritious as fresh foods.
5. Doesn’t taste as good as fresh food
Fresh food obviously has a great aroma and taste, which the frozen food doesn’t have. These foods may not even look good, in comparison to fresh food. The crunch and taste of fresh food cannot be matched by frozen foods.
6. Risk of pancreatic cancer
“Research shows that eating frozen food can lead to pancreatic cancer. Frozen sausages, salamis or other items can increase the risk of contracting cancer. This is usually because of the preservatives used in these frozen food items. Corn syrup, present in frozen food, also exhibits carcinogenic tendencies,” reveals Ms Chopra.
7. Elevates blood pressure
According to studies, frozen foods can elevate the blood pressure, as they contain a high amount of sodium. Consuming too much sodium also increases the risk of other medical conditions like stroke and heart diseases.
Ms Chopra reveals the shelf-life of frozen food
Food cannot live forever. Every food has a shelf life, just that frozen varieties stay on longer than fresh food. The shelf life of some frozen foods is mentioned below:
- Vegetables – 3 to 4 months
- Fruits – 4 to 5 months
- Fish – about 4 months
- Meat – 4 to 6 months
- Ready Made food – 3 to 4 months
- Dairy products – 2 to 3 months
“Always read and follow the instructions mentioned on the frozen food package. While microwaving, remember to cover the food with a plate in order to produce moist heat, which helps in killing harmful bacteria. Keep stirring, rotating and turning the food while cooking, so that no cold spots are left,” suggests Ms Chopra.
The last word
People with pre-existing health conditions like diabetes, heart problems, cancer, etc. should avoid eating frozen foods. Also, if one has a family history of such diseases, he/she should be extra careful about the quantity and frequency of eating frozen food items.
