How To Select Fresh Ingredients: Key Nutritional Benefits
Here at Gobble, we get so many questions about ingredients.
“What are fresh ingredients?”
“Why are fresh ingredients important?”
“How can I get fresh ingredients?”
Today, we’re going to answer all these questions for you! Fresh ingredients offer many nutritional benefits, including:
- Being free of harmful chemicals, additives, and preservatives.
- Being rich in essential nutrients and vitamins necessary to keep your body functioning.
- Being unprocessed. Certain processing techniques can lead to obesity and health problems (Ex. Trans fats and added sugar).
- Keeping your food as close to its healthy, natural state as possible.
Our experts at Gobble wrote this guide to help you select fresh ingredients for your meals. Let’s dive in!
What Are Fresh Ingredients?
Fresh ingredients have not been processed and do not have added chemicals. In many cases, vendors will add chemicals to food to prevent spoiling. But this is not good!
Fresh ingredients offer many benefits to you, your family, and the environment.
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Fresh Food?
Eating fresh food is about more than just good taste. It’s a pathway to better health and sustainability.
Fresh foods are packed with nutrients that processed foods simply can’t match. (You’ll see the difference if you read food nutrition labels and compare!) You’ll support local farmers and reduce your carbon footprint by choosing fresh ingredients.
Here’s why making fresh choices can make a big difference:
Fresh Ingredients Are Good for You
Frozen fruits and vegetables lose some of their antioxidants when frozen. During the freezing process, frozen vegetables are blanched. This can destroy up to 80% of the original nutrients of your veggies, according to Healthline.
Fresh Ingredients Are Safer
Fresh ingredients are one of the healthiest cooking substitutions you can make!
Getting fresh food is essential for your family’s safety. According to the USDA, food cannot be left out for longer than two hours before bacteria begin to grow.
If the temperature is above 90 degrees, that time is cut in half. When people aren’t certified or trained to handle food, the risk to the consumer grows even more.
Companies like Gobble, our food delivery service, have a commitment to food safety. We have trained professionals who select ripe and fresh ingredients. You’ll use them to prepare dinner each night, leading to a safer and healthier meal.
Using Fresh Ingredients Is Good for the Environment
Choosing fresh ingredients is better for the environment. You support local farms and farmers by choosing fresh produce and meat products.
Processing meat produces harmful chemicals that get put back into the environment. By supporting local farmers, you’re protecting the Earth.
Shopping local results in more humane treatment of animals and more ethical practices. Here at Gobble, we have an Animal Welfare Policy, which is committed to:
- Cage-Free Eggs
- Hormone and Antibiotic Free Chicken
- Hormone Free Pork
- Certified Humane Chicken
- Sustainably Wild-Caught and Farm-Raised Seafood
- Wild Caught Seafood that is Marine Stewardship Council Certified
- Farm-Raised Seafood that is Best Aquaculture Practices Certified
- Salmon is Global GAP certified and produced with no antibiotics or GMOs
- Beef is grass-fed for the majority of its life, and finished on grain for the last few months
- Dairy products are sourced from hormone-free cows
Fresh Ingredients Are Good for Your Wallet
Fresh ingredients are cheaper than buying prepared food. Inflation is skyrocketing in the United States and around the world. The average cost of an inexpensive restaurant meal is approaching $20 in many cities, according to Numbeo. And that does not even include delivery costs, which can be another 20-30% extra.
With Gobble, you could get your first delivery of 6 meals for $36 (with free shipping!)
That is $6 a meal, and you enjoy the benefits of fresh food. After your trial meals, the price increases to $11.99. This is still dramatically cheaper and healthier than going out to eat.
Fresh Ingredients Support Local Economies
Choosing fresh ingredients directly benefits local economies. When you opt for produce from local farmers, your money stays within the community. This financial support helps to strengthen local businesses. It contributes to their growth and sustainability. This can lead to the creation of more jobs in your area.
Supporting local agriculture means you’re contributing to the economic vitality of your community. This relationship between consumers and local producers fosters a healthier, more prosperous community.
Fresh Ingredients Enhance Meal Taste and Quality
Fresh ingredients bring out the best in your meals. Their natural flavors and textures make every dish more appealing. When you cook with fresh produce and meats, you notice a difference in taste immediately.
Vegetables are crispier, fruits are juicier, and meats are more succulent. This enhances the flavor of your meals and elevates your dining experience. Opting for fresh over processed means enjoying food the way it was meant to be savored.
Fresh Ingredients Promote Seasonal Eating
Eating fresh ingredients encourages seasonal eating. You’re likely to consume foods when they are at their peak of freshness and nutritional value. This aligns your diet closer to the natural growing seasons. Using seasonal ingredients will help you eliminate food waste in your kitchen.
What Are Examples Of Fresh Food?
Fresh food can include produce and meats that haven’t been processed in a factory. There are many delicious and nutritious ingredients that can liven up your diet.
Here are some fresh food examples to choose from:
Fresh Fruit
Whether you like apples or mangoes, fresh fruit is a great way to start your morning. It’s a great snack any time of day.
Fresh Vegetables
Produce is the key to a healthy diet, and it starts with your veggies—broccoli, spinach, carrots… the list goes on!
Fresh Fish
Fish is an excellent source of Omega-3 acids, which lower bad cholesterol and help to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Fresh Meat
Meat is a key source of protein, and it can be a great alternative to many processed foods.
Again, these are just a few fresh food examples. We recommend you do your own research to find options that work for your dietary needs and preferences!
Easy Ways to Add Fresh Ingredients to Your Diet
Fresh ingredients can be used in any recipe you find online or any recipe passed down generations in your family. They often taste better than processed, frozen, or canned food.
Fresh ingredients might take more work to find, but it’s well worth the effort! Here are some tips to help you find fresh ingredients to replace the processed food you may be used to eating.
1. Shop Seasonally At Local Farmers Markets
Fresh produce is often found at farmer’s markets where you can support local farmers. You can also find fresh meat at these markets as well. It is a much better alternative to the grocery store, and it is often cheaper as well! They are often seasonal and sometimes hard to find. But it is well worth lowering your environmental impact and bettering your health.
2. Use A Meal Kit Delivery Service
If you cannot find a farmers market in your area, a good alternative is a service like Gobble. We have three plan options you can choose from:
All are the same price. We recommend you do your research on meal delivery vs grocery shopping to see if ordering a meal kit makes sense for your family!
3. Learn How To Determine When Produce Is Fresh
Not sure if your produce is fresh? Take a look at the following signs to determine whether or not it’s ripe for eating.
- Examine the color. Bright and vibrant hues usually signal freshness. Dull, brown, or yellow tones may suggest the produce is past its prime.
- Check for soft spots or mold. Both are signs of decay. Always opt for produce that hasn’t been on the shelf for an extended period. Fresher options offer better quality and taste.
- Engage all your senses to assess ripeness. The texture of the fruit or vegetable should match expectations for its type. Some should be firm, while others are best when slightly soft.
- Don’t overlook the smell. Aromatic and fresh scents are good indicators of ripe, ready-to-eat produce. Combining these methods will ensure you bring home the freshest, most flavorful ingredients.
4. Visit A Local Butcher For Fresh Meat
For the freshest meat, consider visiting a local butcher. They offer a selection of high-quality meats that typically surpass what you can find in grocery stores, both in freshness and in the quality of care given to the animals.
5. Use Whole Spices With A Spice Grinder
Enhance the flavor of your meals by using whole spices and grinding them yourself. Whole spices retain their potency and aroma much longer than pre-ground spices. This allows you to bring out the best in your dishes.
6. Grow Your Own Herbs
Have limited space? Growing your own herbs is a simple way to ensure you always have fresh flavors at your fingertips.
Herbs like basil, mint, and parsley can thrive in small pots on windowsills. You’ll just want to make sure you learn how to store fresh herbs so they don’t go bad!
7. Engage with Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Participating in a Community-Supported Agriculture program allows you to receive a share of fresh, seasonal produce directly from a local farm. This ensures you’re eating the freshest ingredients and also supports local farmers directly.
CSAs often offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and sometimes even eggs, meat, and dairy.
8. Shop at Specialty Stores
Specialty food stores often stock a variety of unique, high-quality ingredients that you might not find at your local supermarket. These stores take pride in sourcing fresh, artisanal, and sometimes organic products.
Shopping at these outlets can introduce you to new ingredients. Use them to enhance your culinary creations and bring fresh flavors to your table!
Eating Healthy Begins With Fresh Ingredients
Nutritious dinners and healthy food swaps start with high-quality ingredients. We hope these fresh food examples inspire your future meals!
Gobble is a meal kit service that delivers fresh-cut, specially prepared ingredients straight to your door. We’re proud to be one of the best ingredient and recipe delivery services out there.
That’s right, you get the freshest ingredients and curated recipe cards with every order! Our service is beginner-friendly, but you’ll always get gourmet meals the whole family will enjoy. You’ll be cooking like a chef at home in no time!
