People are always debating whether canned, frozen, or fresh vegetables are better. Often, price and convenience are two major factors that usually play into this decision when people are purchasing their veggies. Although in most cases fresh is better, sometimes you may want to grab the canned or frozen alternative. Check out these common veggies and see whether you should be purchasing them fresh, frozen, or canned.

1. Broccoli


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Frozen broccoli offers the same nutritional value as fresh. Frozen usually comes pre-chopped, which can be nice, and saves a lot of time. Cooking with frozen can be tricky though and usually leaves broccoli with a watery consistency since it’s high in vitamin B, which can be undesirable. Buying fresh is the best option when it comes to this veggie to ensure that crunch consistency broccoli is known for.



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Tomatoes are one thing that everyone usually has a difficult time with. When bought fresh they can get messy, difficult to cut and are seasonal. The canned option offers a heating process that keeps all the good nutrients, and releases lycopene (a carotenoid that may help prevent prostate and breast cancer). Most of the time they come pre-cut and ready to use. Surprisingly, buying canned tomatoes can be the better alternative.

3. Peas


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The best thing about peas is the sugars that they contain. Unfortunately, once you pick them they turn into starch within 24 hours leaving them grainy and dull-tasting. The frozen alternative freezes the peas at the peak of ripeness. This stops the process of turning the sugars to starch. When buying peas, the frozen option can be your best bet.

4. Spinach


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Every time I go to the grocery store I always reach for the frozen option. It is easier to cook with, and is great for making dips, or just adding it in to any recipe. On the bright side, frozen spinach is usually most nutritious. One cup of frozen spinach has more than four times the amount of nutrients, such as fiber, iron and calcium, than a cup of fresh spinach. Frozen may be the best option when buying this green veggie.

5. Beans


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One of the most popular ways to buy beans now is canned. It’s easy and the price makes it a very cheap meal, but the downside is that they are loaded with sodium. Buying any beans non-cooked and cooking them yourself is actually healthier and will save you some money in the long run. One trick when buying canned is to rinse the beans entirely with water, this will reduce the sodium content between 9 and 23 percent.