Whether tossed into smoothies or baked into muffins, blueberries are tiny blue spheres packed with nutrients. Most people have made a habit of avoiding frozen blueberries, opting for fresh ones at farmers markets and in the grocery store. It turns out, they should be doing just the opposite. Frozen blueberries are the ultimate convenience. Like most frozen fruit, they’re typically picked at peak ripeness and quickly flash-frozen, locking in nutrients and antioxidants. They often have higher — or at least equal — nutritional value to fresh berries, which may lose nutrients during shipping. Research has shown that the freezing process can make antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, easier for the body to absorb. Frozen blueberries are also easier to find — especially during the cold winter months — and can even be less expensive than fresh ones. Right now, frozen blueberries are significantly cheaper than fresh ones. A typical small container of fresh blueberries runs around $6 in most grocery stores, while you can pick up a hefty 3-pound bag of the frozen ones for around $10. So, the next time you want to stock up on blueberries, head for the freezer aisle.
