Four Tips for Using Frozen Vegetables

If your elderly family member is looking for more variety in her diet and she’s wanting a budget-friendly way to accomplish that goal, frozen veggies might be the answer. These are a great choice because they’re frozen very quickly after they’re harvested, so you know they’re high in nutrients, too. 

Read the Label Carefully

Home Care Long Prairie, MN: Using Frozen Vegetables

It’s always important to read labels on foods, even when you think you know what’s in the package. Just because the package says “corn,” that may not mean there’s only corn in there. Some manufacturers add ingredients like preservatives or salt, both for flavoring and to preserve the food for a longer shelf life. When you read the label, make sure that the ingredients section includes just the vegetables themselves. 

Try Something New 

Frozen foods offer your senior a chance to try something that might be brand new to her. The bonus is that these vegetables are usually partially prepared, aside from cooking. They also include cooking instructions, such as how long or in what manner to prepare the food. That can be really helpful when you’re trying something new.  

Organic Might Be a Good Idea 

Organic foods are a popular option and for good reason. If you’re concerned about pesticides and other chemicals in your senior’s food, then organic foods offer another choice. These crops are grown in a certified manner that restricts the types of pest control that can be used on the plants. Often these are a more expensive choice, though, which is one reason you might opt to avoid them. Checking the “dirty dozen” list might help you to decide. 

Avoid Freezer Burn 

One of the issues that people have with frozen vegetables is that they’re susceptible to issues like freezer burn. This doesn’t hurt the nutritional value in the vegetables, but they can be less appealing and may be more difficult to eat. If you open the package and use only some of the contents, consider repacking the leftovers in a zippered plastic bag designed for freezing foods. Remove all the air and then close the container. Use the remaining vegetables as soon as possible. 

Frozen vegetables can be a much more budget-friendly option than fresh vegetables are and they usually last longer, too. If your elderly family member is having trouble with cooking, it might be a good idea to enlist the help of home care providers to do the cooking for her. That way she’s eating healthy meals without a lot of extra effort. 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Home Care in Long Prairie, MN please contact the caring staff at Alternative Senior Care today. Providing Home Care in Central Minnesota and Surrounding Communities. Call us Today (320) 352-3350