Life Tips 02/07/2025 16:55

Don't be foolish to put these 6 foods in the freezer; it's like a ticking time bomb.

The freezer is not a "panacea" for food preservation. Some foods and dishes placed in there are essentially thrown away as they lose all their nutrients, and can even be harmful to health.
The freezer is an ideal place to extend the shelf life of foods, reduce the frequency of grocery shopping, and minimize food waste. However, not all foods are suitable for freezing.
According to Chef Shawn Matijevich, an instructor at the Culinary Institute of America (USA), water in foods expands when frozen, forming ice crystals that can break the cellular structure.

As a result, after thawing, the food loses its taste, becomes mushy, watery, and more susceptible to bacterial growth. More importantly, it can lead to nutrient loss and waste energy unnecessarily.
Here are six foods you should never freeze if you want to avoid wasting time, money, and energy:
  1. Leafy Greens and Fresh Herbs
    Greens like lettuce, spinach, cilantro, and basil deteriorate quickly when frozen directly. Due to their delicate texture, the ice crystals formed during freezing break down the plant's cells, causing the greens to wilt, darken, and lose their crispness once thawed. This also makes them vulnerable to bacterial contamination. Additionally, most heat-sensitive vitamins are destroyed in the freezing process. If you need to store them long-term, blanch the vegetables in boiling water, cool them quickly, and then freeze them—alternatively, blend them with olive oil to use as a cooking sauce.

  2. Eggs in Their Shells
    Placing eggs in their shells in the freezer is a common mistake. When frozen, the liquid inside the eggs expands and can crack the shell, creating an entry point for bacteria. The yolk also changes consistency when thawed, becoming grainy and hard to cook. If you don’t notice the cracks, you might unknowingly consume contaminated eggs, increasing the risk of salmonella poisoning, which causes symptoms like abdominal pain, fever, and prolonged diarrhea.

  3. Soft Cheese
    Cheeses like cream cheese, ricotta, or brie have a smooth texture and high moisture content. After freezing and thawing, these cheeses tend to separate, become lumpy, and lose flavor. Not only does this affect the taste, but the separated cheese can also develop mold or bacteria if not stored properly. Consuming altered cheese may lead to bloating, nausea, or even food poisoning if harmful bacteria produce toxins.

  4. High-Water Fruits and Vegetables
    Tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, oranges, and watermelon contain high water content. When frozen, the water inside forms ice crystals that disrupt the cell structure, making the fruits mushy and releasing juice when thawed. Eating these thawed fruits may lead to an off taste, slight sourness, or a slimy texture—indicating the food is starting to spoil or become contaminated. Consuming spoiled fruit can result in stomach pain, diarrhea, or food poisoning due to bacterial growth in improper storage conditions.

  5. Certain Dairy Products and Creams
    Yogurt, heavy cream, and mayonnaise-based sauces freeze poorly. They can separate, sour, and lose their texture. Once thawed, these products may become watery, develop an off smell, or taste slightly sour—signs of uncontrolled fermentation. Consuming spoiled dairy can cause indigestion, bloating, and gastrointestinal issues, especially in children or the elderly with weaker digestive systems.

  6. Fried Foods
    Fried foods like fried chicken, French fries, and spring rolls lose their crispness when frozen. They absorb moisture and become soggy. Reheating them results in a chewy texture, while the oils can oxidize, producing an unpleasant odor and potentially harmful substances like acrylamide, a compound linked to cancer if consumed frequently. Additionally, frozen fried foods are more likely to accumulate bacteria if not frozen deeply or thawed incorrectly, which can harm your health.

By avoiding freezing these foods, you can maintain their quality, reduce unnecessary energy consumption, and protect your health.

News in the same category

News Post