Are Frozen Foods Good For You?
Are Frozen Foods Good For You?
Do you eat as many vegetables in the winter as you do in the summer? Fresh vegetables tend to cost more when they are out of season – and a lot of them are out of season this time of the year. With winter upon us, we ask the question, “Are frozen foods good for you?” Specifically, are frozen vegetables good for you? There are many opinions about different types of vegetables, such as organic fresh, regular fresh, canned, frozen, etc. How do you know what to choose?
Here are some helpful tips about different types of vegetables:
- Canned: The least nutritious of all veggies. They tend to lose a lot of nutrients during the preservation process before being canned. If you can stay away from canned vegetables, you’ll be better off.
- Fresh (whether organic or not): Get fresh vegetables if they are in season. But unless they are locally sourced, they are probably picked before they are ripe since they have to travel days or more to their final destination. This produce will not have their full nutritional value, even if they look ripe on the outside.
- Frozen: Frozen vegetables are usually picked at their ripeness, and quickly blanched to remove bacteria. Then they are flash-frozen to lock in that freshness. This produce has the most nutrient-rich vitamins and minerals. Keep in mind that the longer they sit in the freezer, the more those nutrients will begin to break down. So don’t let them sit forever! Be leery of frozen vegetables in sauces that can add a lot of fat and calories. Look for the plain frozen vegetables.
Make sure your loved ones get the nutrients they need
It is important to get in as many fruits and vegetables as you can each day (the guideline is 9 servings!). Whether fresh or frozen, you are getting the nutrients your body needs. If the produce you are looking for is not in season, you know it is coming from far away, or you just want the convenience, consider getting frozen. You’ll be happy you did.
We provide nutritious AND delicious meals for our members
Naperville Senior Center provides a hot, noontime meal and snacks for each of our Members. Our veggies, biscuits and ice cream arrive frozen. Our entrées arrive frozen and fully cooked. We heat them up in our convection oven and Members rave about the deliciousness of everything including pot roast, baked cod, chicken Kiev, meat loaf, chicken dumplings and more.
Dessert time is very popular with our Members. There are fruit cups, cookies and fresh fruit, but the frozen treats are preferred. In addition to great food, we encourage our Members to socialize, exercise, play games and puzzles, sing, clap, dance, spend time on the computer, and a host of other activities to provide mental and physical stimulation.
Call to action: contact us to schedule a FREE 3-hour trial at our facility so you can see what we have to offer and understand the Naperville Senior Center experience, “Home Away From Home.”
Free TRIAL is for new Members and their caregiver.
The trial visit is Monday-Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Tour our adult day services facility.
Observe some fun activities. Join us for lunch. Learn more at our Senior Adult Day Care center FREE TRIAL
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Learn more about Naperville Senior Citizen services and upcoming events.
In 2015 there were 47.8 million senior citizens (65 and above) living in the United States.
Help with cutting the grass, landscaping or shoveling snow. Is there a senior neighbor on your block that uses an old push mower? Or does their grass always seem to be high? Why not take your mower down there and cut it for them. Do the landscape beds need to be weeded or bushes trimmed? Lend a hand and do it for them. When you see snow pile up on their stoop, walkway or driveway, shovel it for them. Ask a neighbor or two to join you and get the job done even faster. It’s only an hour or two out of your day and your senior neighbor will be very grateful.
, raise kids or do something to make the community a better place? Why not say ‘thank you’ to them, just to make them feel like they are still appreciated. Bring a pretty bunch of flowers to brighten their day. Or make a hot meal for them. ‘Thank you’ is so easy to say and it costs very little. Try it out, you might just feel good too!
of the issue is important.
Ice and heat packs – reducing inflammation and warming muscles so they move better
100% luck and no skill (there are no decisions to be made), Everyone can pick up the dice and toss ‘em. Our Director of Fun keeps the pace flowing and the members throwing. “What’s the name of the game, Ray?” “BUNCO!” Prizes for all.
A Sense of Purpose. One of the things that older people miss the most once they retire or become ill is a sense of purpose. They need a reason to get up in the morning! Spending day after day at home alone waiting for family or friends to come by can be isolating. Your loved one could be at risk of developing depression. Enrolling them in senior day care can restore a sense of purpose to their lives and give them a reason to be excited about getting up every day.
Mental Stimulation. Seniors need mental stimulation and often they don’t get enough. Activities, crafts, trips, and just being around other people can help your loved ones exercise their mental muscles. This helps them stay sharp and alert for longer periods of time. Studies have shown that seniors who don’t receive enough social interaction lose their mental faculties at a much faster rate than seniors who have strong social ties and get out of the house for activities and social occasions on a regular basis.