Fresh Broccoli Vs. Frozen

Mary Jo · 04-24-2007, 08:39 AM

Good Morning Everyone,

Does anyone know if the benefits of eating frozen broccoli cooked with a little Smart Balance butter on it is as healthy for you as eating fresh? I'm hoping so as I'm starting to enjoy it that way much better.

Thanks AND eat those veggies.

Mary Jo

Jean · 04-24-2007, 08:45 AM

Mary Jo,

I don't know anything about smart balance. But I will share a nice
Italian recipe with you.

My grandmother and mother made it this way and so do I.

Steam the fresh broccoli until firm
Place on plate and use fresh garlic which has been chopped small and smashed
squeeze fresh lemon juice and the drizzel with Olive Oil.

MMMMM very good.

Jean

Caroline UK · 04-24-2007, 08:53 AM

Mary Jo,
What the TV ads say here, and articles I've read on nutrition, is that frozen veg contain as many nutrients as fresh, in fact sometimes more, because with fresh it begins deteriorating as soon as it's cut, and then as it sits around in the atmosphere more nutrients are lost. Whereas with frozen, the veg is picked and frozen quickly, so when you cook it, it has retained a high percentage of nutrients.
Enjoy! And thanks for the good idea, to keep some in the freezer.
Caroline

hutchibk · 04-24-2007, 08:57 AM

from what I've learned as well is that frozen does indeed have the same nutrients or more. I don't eat frozen broccoli, though, because it is just too tough and chewy for me. Most frozen veggies are that way to me... so I try and buy from the local growers when possible so that it is not picked too early...

Mary Jo · 04-24-2007, 08:54 AM

Thank you Jean. It does sound yummy.

Smart Balance is a "Patented Blend to help improve choleserterol ratio" There are no trans fatty acids, naturally.

The nutrition facts are as follows: 5.8:1 ratio of Omega-6 to Omega 3. Omega-3: 400 mg/serving (which is 1 T) Omega-6: 2300 mg/serving.

Not only is it a good choice but it tastes darn good as well.

Mary Jo

Mary Jo · 04-24-2007, 08:57 AM

Thank you Caroline. I'm hoping that is correct because I enjoy it much more cooked.

I keep lots of different frozen veggies in the freezer and will often make myself a bowl full of veggies for lunch or snack or whatever.

Mary Jo

Jean · 04-24-2007, 10:40 AM

Mary Jo

will buy and try smart balance - my husband has to watch his choleterterol.

Thx,
jean

R.B. · 04-24-2007, 01:51 PM

Clearly a product without trans fats and with an eye on the omega three balance has to be positive, and like all things there are no absolute answers

And here for BC sufferers would be my thoughts

1. Many if not most processed food contain vegetable oils which are almost inevitably high in omega six (it is rare they use virgin olive oil because it is expensive, flaxseed because it is sensitive to heat etc - the oils used will be sunflower etc which are high in six).

2. Whilst a small amount of omega six is essential ideally it should be more or less in balance with omega three. If you did not have access to refined oil and got your threes and sixes from green things, things that had eaten green things etc you would have more or less a balance. Green things on average in general terms are more or less in balance in terms of omega three and six.

3. We have been used to that balance for a very long time and so arguably were designed or have adjusted to it.

4. Less is more within sensible limits as far as fat consumption goes.

Enjoyment v strict moderation, maybe better a tiny amount of butter as that has very little omega six and supplement omega three with fish oil (or a vegetarian equivalent) and maybe a little GLA .

You might to search under omega three using search above this is thought provoking

http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin...ad.php?t=27920

Here is a link I have previously posted that looks at omega three and cardiac issues.

Please discuss significant dietary changes with your advisor. Omega threes may cause blood thinning.

RB