Frozen fruit - a super healthy alternative for my baby

There are situations when I did not have fresh fruit at hand for the little ones at home. Maybe we didn't go shopping, it's the season between winter and spring, when local fruits haven't appeared yet or we simply don't have access to them. What can we do? Should we give up fruit as a snack and offer something else?

Definitely not, let's look in the freezer together. Do you remember picking blueberries last summer and putting them in the freezer?

Although many people avoid the frozen version of the fruit, having the impression that they have added preservatives or dyes, they remain a healthy and nutritious option during the colder season, especially when we do not have fresh fruit. They can be found in any supermarket, packaged or in bulk, especially berries (strawberries, blueberries, currants, blackberries, raspberries or cherries) but also exotic fruits (mango, pineapple, etc.).

Why is it a healthy option?

Frozen fruits are harvested at maturity, washed through an industrial process and then immediately subjected to the freezing process. Thus, they immediately freeze at a temperature of - 18 degrees Celsius. The vivid color of these fruits is not due to the colorings and the aroma is not so intense due to the flavorings. All these properties are preserved due to freezing.

This freezing process is sufficient for their preservation, without the need for the addition of preservatives. In addition, vitamins and minerals are stored in significant proportions. Often the fresh fruit we find on supermarket shelves is brought from different distant lands. They are picked at least a week before they arrive at the store, where they stay for a few more days and last at least a day or two until they are consumed. During this time, much of the vitamin is lost. For example, vitamin C is lost in contact with light or heat.

How do we consume them?

In order to eat this fruit, we need to thaw it. It is best to leave it at room temperature for one hour before use. It is important not to thaw and then freeze the fruit several times, in this way they will lose their properties.

As a caloric content, 100g of frozen fruit provides between 26-37 calories.

Frozen fruit snack ideas:

1. Frozen grapes. Worth a try, they are like little ice cream candies!
2. Simple yogurt with frozen berries, a little honey and nuts,
3. Frozen milk milk smoothie (mango, pineapple, banana, etc.)
4. A creamy ice cream blender made from frozen bananas and strawberries.
5. Frozen yogurt stick with fruit on top.

Iulia Hădărean nutriționist-dietetician