Fresh, frozen or canned: doctors on which foods are healthier to eat

      Nowadays time for cooking is often limited, so to supplement our diet we choose fresh, frozen, or canned products.

      But which of these is truly healthy? Specialists from the Republican Center for Public Health and Medical Prevention of Tatarstan spoke about the pros and cons of each option, current trends and the future of food products.

      Fresh products:

      “Fresh vegetables and fruits are usually associated with maximum benefit, as they contain vivid flavors and often the richest set of vitamins and antioxidants. However, ‘freshness’ is a relative concept: products can lose beneficial substances already during transportation and storage. For example, vitamin C is sensitive to light and air, so fresh vegetables that have been sitting for several days may contain less of it,” explained deputy chief physician Rushan Valiev.

      Advantages:

      - maximum natural taste and texture;

      - high content of some unstable vitamins (for example, B and C);

      - the possibility to choose organic and local products.

      Disadvantages:

      - spoil quickly, especially without proper storage;

      - not always available seasonally and in remote regions;

      - may contain pesticide residues and contaminants.

      Frozen products:

      “Freezing is one of the best methods to preserve the maximum of nutrients. Properly quick-frozen vegetables and fruits stop microbial growth and slow the chemical reactions that cause spoilage and loss of vitamins. Many studies show that in terms of vitamin and antioxidant content frozen products can be no worse than fresh,” said head of the Department of Hygiene Education and Healthy Lifestyle Promotion Guzel Galimullina.

      Advantages:

      - retain most of beneficial micronutrients and vitamins;

      - available year-round;

      - convenient to store and quick to prepare;

      - less prone to bacterial spoilage.

      Disadvantages:

      - possible loss of texture, for example, vegetables become softer after thawing;

      - not all frozen products are equally healthy — some ready-made items contain salt and preservatives;

      - require constant cold.

      Canned products:

      Modern canned foods can preserve many vitamins and minerals, especially when it comes to whole vegetables, fruits or legumes. But vitamin C and some antioxidants suffer during heat treatment.

      Advantages:

      - long shelf life without refrigeration;

      - convenience and quick access to food in any conditions;

      - often contain beneficial fiber and protein.

      Disadvantages:

      - possible high concentrations of salt, sugar and preservatives;

      - loss of some vitamins and change in taste due to processing;

      - risks of formation of harmful substances due to reaction of metal with food.

      “For the prevention of chronic diseases, the overall balance and diversity of the diet are more important than searching for the perfect type of product,” emphasized Guzel Galimullina. At the same time:

      - regular inclusion of various vegetables and fruits in any form supports immunity and reduces inflammation;

      - fiber from any type of vegetables helps normalize the gut microbiota.

      Doctors recommend avoiding products with excessive added salt, sugar and chemical additives, especially in canned foods and processed products. When possible, prefer frozen vegetables without additives and fresh seasonal products.

      Practical tips for every household:

      - try to buy fresh locally produced vegetables and fruits in season;

      - choose frozen products without added salt and sauces;

      - use canned goods as a supplement, carefully checking the ingredients and avoiding excessive consumption of salty and sweet items;

      - store products properly: fresh in the refrigerator, frozen at a constant subzero temperature, canned goods in a cool, dry place;

      - include a variety of product forms in the diet to minimize nutrient deficiencies.

      “The future development of food products is associated with improving technologies for preserving vitamins and creating eco-friendly packaging,” says Rushan Valiev.

      What promising options are already entering our lives?

      - Improved blast freezing and vacuum packing. These methods help preserve not only vitamins but also the flavor qualities of products.

      - High-tech methods of canning, such as hermetic sealing using natural preservatives and elimination of heat treatment. They will help increase benefits and shelf life.

      - Smart packaging with freshness and nutrient indicators. They will allow better control of quality and safety.

      Specialists from the Republican Center also noted the potential of local production and short supply chains — they reduce the time between when a product is harvested and when it reaches the table.

      author

      More news about the event:

      Fresh, frozen or canned: doctors on which foods are healthier

      Specialists from the Republican Center for Public Health and Medical Prevention of Tatarstan spoke about the pros and cons of each option

      Nowadays time for cooking is often limited, 12:26 23.10.2025 News of Zelenodolsk - Zelenodolsk

      Fresh, frozen or canned: doctors on which foods are healthier

      Nowadays time for cooking is often limited, so to supplement our diet we choose fresh, frozen, or canned products. 11:44 23.10.2025 Znamya Newspaper - Buinsk

      Regional news on the topic:

      The unexpected benefit of lard in autumn and winter revealed: the doctor told how often and with what to eat it

      Today, October 23 at 13:43, Russia/world. A dietitian spoke about the benefits of lard. Photo: ex.ise-p.com. The season of fresh vegetables and fruits has already passed, but the body needs vitamins and nutrients year-round. 14:44 23.10.2025 Hibiny.Com - Murmansk

      Colorful vegetables are not just a decoration for your table, they are a treasure trove of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, each of which has its unique health benefit.

      Chief physician of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Center for Public Health and Medical Prevention Natalya Savitskaya spoke about which benefits each color group has:

      Vegetable palette on the plate. 13:21 23.10.2025 Vachskaya Gazeta - Vacha

      A Saratov dietitian told how many vegetables and fruits you need to eat per day

      WHO recommends consuming at least 400 g of vegetables and fruits per day. 13:09 23.10.2025 SaratovNews.Ru - Saratov

      How to help a child love vegetables and fruits

      Getting a child used to a proper diet, including consuming vegetables and fruits, requires a creative approach and patience. 14:55 23.10.2025 Krasnoturinsk.Org - Krasnoturyinsk

      A dietitian revealed the secret of preserving nutrients in cooked vegetables

      Photo: regional health department. Including vegetables and fruits in the diet is a great idea. 12:04 23.10.2025 Riac34.Ru - Volgograd

      Tulians were told which foods are richest in vitamin C

      Photo: Tula News Service. Vitamin C is an immune stimulant and antioxidant, so it positively affects health. 11:41 23.10.2025 IA Tula News Service - Tula

      Vegetables and fruits are a source of health, youth and beauty

      It is widely known that vegetables and fruits are a source of health, youth and beauty. 11:24 23.10.2025 Registry Office Committee - Ivanovo

      From October 20 to 26, 2025 the week of promoting consumption of vegetables and fruits is taking place

      Doctors of the Pervomayskaya Central District Hospital remind that these products occupy an important place in the human diet. 10:52 23.10.2025 Pervomayskaya Central District Hospital - Pervomaysky

      Residents of Nizhny Novgorod were told which fruits and vegetables to eat in October and November

      Seasonal vegetables and berries are important to consume in autumn while they are fresh, as they contain the greatest amount of beneficial substances. 10:47 23.10.2025 Vremya N - Nizhny Novgorod

      From October 20 to 26, Russia is holding the Week of Promoting Consumption of Vegetables and Fruits.

      Vegetables and fruits occupy an important place in the diet; they are a valuable source of vitamins, carbohydrates, organic acids and minerals. 10:41 23.10.2025 Sergievsky District - Sergievsk

      A gastroenterologist from Dubna hospital spoke about the benefits of vegetables and fruits

      Moscow Region Ministry of Health: Dr. Nechaeva from Dubna advises making vegetables and fruits the basis of the diet. Photo: press service of Dubna hospital. Author: Varvara Tretyak. During the thematic week of the Ministry of Health, 10:28 23.10.2025 Regions.Ru - Dubna

      ZdravKontrol informs

      What does the body need vegetables and fruits for?

      Proper nutrition plays an important role in maintaining the health of our body. 10:26 23.10.2025 Urban District Voskresensk - Voskresensk

      Week of promoting consumption of vegetables and fruits!

      Vegetables and fruits are natural vitamins, fiber and the key to feeling well. 14:23 23.10.2025 City Hospital - Prokopyevsk

      Week of promoting consumption of vegetables and fruits - from October 20 to 26

      Healthy nutrition is the basis for the full development of children and active longevity of adults. 15:13 23.10.2025 Tuberculosis Dispensary - Kyzyl

      On the benefit of fruits and vegetables for tuberculosis

      Which vegetables and fruits should predominate in the diet of tuberculosis patients? 15:12 23.10.2025 Tuberculosis Dispensary - Kyzyl

      A banana a day and that’s it: why fewer people in France eat fruits and vegetables

      New studies paint a worrying picture: consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is rapidly falling, and the main reason is their high price. 11:03 23.10.2025 Pro Gorod Ukhta - Ukhta

      Advice from gastroenterologist Tamara Vasilyeva of the Central City Hospital about the benefits of vegetables and fruits

      “Vegetables and fruits should be in the diet at any time of year and make up half of your plate.” 09:54 23.10.2025 Central City Hospital - Cheboksary

      “Week of promoting consumption of vegetables and fruits”

      The week from October 20 to 26, 2025 was declared by the Russian Ministry of Health as the “Week of Promoting Consumption of Vegetables and Fruits.” 09:36 23.10.2025 Savinsky District - Savino

      Good for the stomach

      It is known that vegetables and fruits are an integral part of a healthy diet. However, there are rules here as well. 09:15 23.10.2025 Soviet Chuvashia - Cheboksary