6 Freezer Tips for National Frozen Food Month

Did you know March is National Frozen Food month? Having a freezer is a huge convenience to consumers these days as it allows you to have nutritious food throughout the year.

Now I know what you may be thinking, is frozen food even good for you?? Well, I’m here to tell you that there are plenty of “healthy” frozen food options! You can choose low salt/low fat frozen meals or even find a frozen meal to fit any of your nutrition needs.

Frozen fruits and veggies are a perfect addition to your daily meals – even the FDA has confirmed that frozen fruits and vegetables provide the same essential nutrients as fresh. Actually, one major benefit of frozen fruits and vegetables is that they are frozen at peak freshness, which means they retain their nutritional value!

Now that we’ve “debunked” the major myth regarding frozen fruits and vegetables – let’s delve into some general freezer tips for National Frozen Food Month.

6 Freezer Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Freezer

Keeping your freezer full retains cold temperature better than an empty one. Make sure there is enough room for air to circulate.
Avoid opening and closing your freezer door. Cold air escapes causing the freezer to work hard to stay cold.
Freezer temperature is recommended to be 0F.
Be sure to defrost your freezer once in awhile. Frost buildup lowers energy efficiency.
Don’t freeze food in big clumps. Allow items like burgers to harden separately before putting them into a freezer bag/container together. This will help stop them from getting stuck together and will allow you to grab one at a time when needed.
Defrost your food safely. Place items in the refrigerator overnight to defrost and use within 24 hours.

I often say that my freezer is my best friend! I always have cooked food portioned out for a quick dinner. In addition, I love to have frozen fruits on hand to make smoothies and fruit sauces to top my morning cottage cheese. And, I’m a big fan of frozen veggies.

Fruit Smoothies

Having fruits and vegetables frozen and ready to go are perfect for making smoothies. Here are some smoothie combos that you’ll enjoy:

Strawberry-banana smoothie made with yogurt and milk; add honey and cinnamon
Blackberry, raspberry and strawberry smoothie made with milk and ice
Frozen peach, mango, and banana smoothie made with yogurt and ice
Banana smoothie made with milk; add peanut butter and cocoa powder

Frozen Veggies

Frozen veggies are perfect for an easy side to dinner! I love the Steam-in-the-Bag frozen vegetables. When I’m short on time, I pop a bag into the microwave and it’s ready in 10 minutes.

Frozen vegetables are also great for stir-frying, roasting, or added to a casserole. While I do love fresh vegetables, sometimes the fresh veggies will sit in the fridge for a few days until I have a chance to wash and cut. During this time, the veggies can lose some of their nutrients. That’s why I love to have my freezer stocked with frozen.

Your Turn to Take Action: What frozen food is your freezer stocked with? Let me know in the comments below!