OK, so you’ve recently jump-started a health kick, and you’re ready to grocery shop for healthy foods. You know you need some whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, fruits, and veggies. Great. But where do you start?

A good place to begin might be with whether you’re going to buy fresh vs. frozen foods. Fresh is always better, right? Well, not exactly. Depending on the time of year, grocery store, and your personal preference, it may actually save you time and money to choose some frozen foods over fresh.

We want to show you an example where it may benefit you to choose frozen over fresh. Let’s talk about corn. Frozen corn outweighs fresh in three major categories:

1. Time

It actually takes less time to prepare frozen corn than fresh—who knew?
Frozen: 7 minutes
Fresh: 15 minutes

2. Cost

Per serving, frozen corn is less expensive than fresh. Who doesn’t like a good deal?
Frozen: $0.24
Fresh: $0.53

3. Nutritional Value

Frozen corn often has fewer calories than fresh, which may help with weight management.
Frozen: 60 calories, 0.5g fat, 14.4g carbs, 1.9g protein, 0.7mg sodium
Fresh: 72 calories, 1.1g fat, 15.6g carbs 2.5g protein, 0.7mg sodium

Next time you’re grocery shopping, consider the differences between fresh and frozen foods. Each person will weigh the various factors differently based on their individual needs and preferences, so try to come up with the best solution for you!