March is National Frozen Food Month, which is a great reminder that frozen foods are a convenient and delicious way to eat within a family’s food budget, according to the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI). AFFI highlights the benefits of frozen food with its 2022 Frozen Advantage Toolkit.

The advantages include:

• Frozen foods are nutritious: Fruits and vegetables are harvested and quickly flash-frozen within hours to lock in key nutrients, vitamins and minerals like Riboflavin, Vitamins C and E, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, Iron, Fiber, Phenolics.
• Frozen foods reduce consumer food waste: Frozen foods don’t spoil in the freezer so consumers can eat all that they buy; unused portions can be returned to the freezer to be used for another meal. This reduces food waste and saves families money.
• The frozen food aisle is packed with affordable healthier choices: Grocery stores now stock a wide array of healthier frozen foods with fewer calories, less saturated fat, sugar and sodium, and more fiber and whole grains.
• Frozen foods are easy to prepare: They help families save time cooking and cleaning in the kitchen so they can spend more time together at the table.

The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) has developed resources that are helpful in understanding the important role frozen food plays in a healthy eating pattern. For more information, check out the Frozen Advantage, a comprehensive resource guide along with their various toolkits. For more information and to view AFFI’s Frozen Food Month toolkit, click here.

Click here to read the original article on AFFI.com.

One of the most common reasons many of the resolutions people made on January 1st will be abandoned is that people choose resolutions that are too difficult, and promise themselves changes that are too big because they want big results. Here are three, simple evidence-based ideas you can share with consumers to help them stick to their fruit resolutions:

Create a habit

If you can manage to create a habit, your desired behavior will become automatic – and so much easier to do. Habits aren’t easy to create, but there is a formula that works if you can put in the early effort to keep on track: pick a simple behavior, pick a time and place to do it, repeat the behavior at that time and place, and enjoy a little reward when you do it.

Make It Easy

Easy to see, grab, find, eat immediately, plan, keep around, buy, get in your mouth, get in your kids’ mouths, swallow, like, clean, pack, remember and habitualize.

Cultivate enjoyment

The evidence is strong: systematic exposure increases liking over time. It’s all about repeatedly trying to eat fruits and find new ways to incorporate them into your diet. Exposure works well with kids if you keep the experience positive by giving praise for trying and if you remain realistic: change won’t happen overnight, and the goal isn’t to create a connoisseur – just a kid who at least tolerates fruits.

You can read more about these and other evidence-based tips at fruitsandveggies.org.

This article was originally featured in the Have a Plant Ambassador Activation Kit, Winter 2022, and was written by Dr. Jason Riis, Chief Behavioral Scientist for the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH).

The importance of plant-forward eating isn’t exactly new news. Strong evidence over several decades shows consuming fruits and vegetables promotes well-being even beyond basic nutrient requirements. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans support nutrient-dense, plant-forward eating patterns, including vegetables, fruits, grains, low-fat dairy, lean meat and poultry, seafood and oils (including nuts) to help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. As plant-forward patterns grow in popularity, so does the evidence supporting their role in optimizing health.

Living Longer: Enjoying a plant-forward eating pattern, including consumption of fruits and vegetables at recommended levels and a higher intake of nuts, has been associated with a reduced risk of all causes of mortality.

Losing Weight & Reducing Obesity Risk: Small studies have indicated that overweight adults who followed a plant-forward diet can lose weight more effectively than those not following this type of eating style. One factor is likely the role of antioxidants and fiber in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, which can promote satiety or feelings of fullness.

Reducing Risk of Cancer: Significant evidence has illustrated how eating more plants can help reduce the risk of cancer. The research highlights the role of cancer-pro-tective nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, which are abundant in vegetables, fruits, grains, beans, nuts and seeds.

Consider adding more fruit into your diet with the help of Wawona! Check out our products on our website to learn more.