The Nutritional Health Benefits of Freeze-Dried - Is it Good for You?

What you put in your body matters, everyone knows this! The nutritional value of the food you choose to consume each day has a direct correlation to how your body and mind will feel and perform when facing everyday emergencies. When your body is fueled and can function at its best, you are prepared to meet any challenges that could come your way.  

Freeze-drying is a complex process that requires special equipment that can be found in large manufacturing facilities or even at home. Freeze-drying subjects food to extremely low temperatures until frozen. Once this temperature is reached, a vacuum is formed around the food (hence why specialized equipment is needed). The temperature is then raised slowly, and the heat energy that is output causes all frozen water to sublime (sublimation: the process in which frozen liquids are converted to vapor without going through a liquid phase). Because the process of sublimation is used, 98%-99% of the total moisture is completely removed. 

When compared to other drying and preservation methods the freeze-drying process is very unique. Other food preservation methods, such as canning and dehydrating, use higher temperatures (in comparison to freeze-drying) that can cause degradation of the overall nutrition of the food. Because freeze-drying does not use any heat or added preservatives, the nutritional values of the product are virtually unchanged from its original state. Maximum nutritional value with the 25-year shelf life proves why freeze-drying truly is the healthiest and most versatile option to preserve food.  

Utah State University has complied research surrounding the preservation of food and water, called “Preserve the Harvest.” Food safety specialist and expert, Brian Nummer, states  

“Nutrition labels of commercially freeze-dried broccoli, pineapple, and cooked chicken chunks compare favorably to nutrient data of raw or commercially frozen products.”  

Based on this quote, freeze-dried foods are a reputable source of nutrition. But just in case you are still unsure, here are 5 reasons why freeze-dried foods are good to have in your nutritional arsenal.  

5 Reasons Why Freeze-dried Foods are Excellent Nutritional Options: 

1. Freeze-drying preserves 97% of the original nutrients. As compared to other food preservation methods such as canning retaining only 40% or dehydrating retaining only 60%. 
2. Freeze drying maintains much of the original flavor and texture when reconstituted. Freeze-dried foods do not shrink or shrivel, nor does the freeze-drying process make the food tough or chewy. 
3. Freeze-dried food, when stored correctly, has a 25-year shelf life. This is up to 10 years longer than other preservation methods such as; canning - 3 years, dehydration - 10 years, or traditional freezing - 2 years. To learn more about the shelf life of freeze-dried goods, check out our “How Long Freeze Dried Food Really Lasts” blog post. 
4. Freeze drying has been around for a long time. Since 1906 to be exact! Because of this, the process has been perfected over the years to keep food at its optimal nutritional level, while simultaneously maintaining its taste.  
5. Freeze-dried food has little to no preservatives or additives. Unlike other packaged goods or produce you find at the grocery store, freeze-drying technology locks in all nutrition without using harmful preservatives or additives to help increase shelf life. 

Freeze-Dried Fun Fact: 

Freeze-dried fruits and vegetables are often even more nutritious than fresh from the grocery store.  

Shocker, right? 

But when you think about it, it makes sense. Nutristore sources its fruits and vegetables directly from the harvester and freeze-dries its product at their optimal ripeness. Grocery store providers often pick their produce before they are ripe, add preservatives or sprays, then take days or even weeks to get to the store. By the time a fruit or vegetable you bought at the grocery store gets into your refrigerator or is served up as a meal or snack, it has lost a significant amount of its nutritional value since harvest and picking.  

One common question in regards to the health and nutritional standing of freeze-dried goods is “does freeze drying food kill bacteria?” Let’s dive into this-  

Freeze drying food does not kill bacteria. Freeze drying is not a food safety process, only a food preservation process, so bacteria and other microorganisms can stay viable and dormant even after being freeze-dried. This fact is not monopolized by the freeze-drying process, all other food preservation processes have dormant bacteria and microorganisms. To aid in the risk management of these unwanted bacteria and microorganisms before freeze-drying any goods, it is crucial all foods are prepared and stored in the proper way (cleaning, handling, cooking). For this reason, our manufacturing plants are held to the highest standard and all products are thoroughly inspected and approved before being freeze dried and packaged. Many customers have found much greater peace of mind in Nutristore freeze-dried goods versus home freeze-dried goods because of our detailed and clean preparation process.  

In conclusion, hopefully you have determined that freeze-dried food is not only good method of preservation, it is good for you and your nutrition, and it is a great choice for your pantry and long-term food storage. Having these products will help ensure that whatever situation you may be in, the premium quality nutrition you and your family need is there! 

*Learn more about why we choose Freeze-Dried