March is National Frozen Foods Month, and on this blog I want to discuss the benefits of buying frozen foods for your family, especially for your picky eater!

Texture: A successful meal with a toddler starts with the texture of the foods presented. If your child has difficulties with the sensory aspect of warm or hot foods, you can try a frozen texture to encourage tasting a new fruit or veggie. A few of my favorite frozen foods to introduce to hesitant eaters in feeding therapy are:

• Blueberries
• Green Beans
• Peas
• Beets (usually frozen in really small cubes)
• Corn
• Mango

Savings: One of my favorite money saving tips for families who want to eat healthy is purchasing frozen foods. Organic foods can be expensive, but buying them frozen can save you a ton of cash! Plus, there are usually ‘buy one, get one free’ ads at your local grocery store for frozen foods. At the store near me, they have a ‘$5.00 freezer bag day’ each month, where you literally stuff as many frozen foods as you can in a bag for five bucks! This makes frozen foods an inexpensive way to offer new foods to a picky eater.

Snacking: Most fruits and veggies were frozen right at peak season, so they taste fresh. Try using frozen fruits for a quick smoothie in between meals or a yummy treat for a little one teething. They also make a perfect TV watching snack or topping for a small dessert!

Convenience: Frozen foods are perfect for on-the-go families who have to cook meals quickly but still want it to be nutritious. Frozen vegetables require less preparation time since they have already been cleaned and cut. Flash-freezing methods for proteins such as fish and ground meat provide your family with delicious and hardy dinners year round. All of this makes meal planning a bit easier and more convenient for the entire family. Hooray for more stress-free mealtimes!

Portions: What I love best about making frozen foods is that I can easily measure out a serving and put the rest back into the freezer. I usually put a portion of veggies (still frozen) into a pot with chicken broth, garlic and salt for an easy 10-minute side dish. No food waste and easy prep time means your family will eat healthier and save money doing it!

How do you cook frozen foods in your home? Do you find that they help your picky eater try new foods? Share your story with us by using the hashtags #ezpzfun or #myezpzmat.