How does meat nutritional profile change in freezing?
My teacher said that you cannot stop fats going bad with freezing. So fatty meat is not good idea to freeze over a long time. Are there other factors to consider in freezing meat?
Best Answer
There is some truth to this. Fats go rancid, and in particular you're worried about rancidity due to oxidation here. Freezers do not stop oxidation, but they do slow it down a lot.
The main factors in oxidation are light, heat, and metal. Storing meat in a sealed freezer-safe (plastic) container or bag and using the smallest container possible will make the meat last a very long time - usually up to a year - before there is any noticeable rancidity.
Obviously, lean meats such as chicken breasts will last longer than fatty meats such as pork, since the fat is what oxidizes. Also, vacuum-sealing and/or the addition of antioxidants will practically prevent any significant oxidation - the former because oxidation needs oxygen, and the latter because the free radicals get absorbed before they can contribute to rancidity.
Another concern is freezer burn, which is also due to oxidation (along with dehydration). This is almost always caused by improper storage. It's only ever happened once in my freezer, and that was when I ran out of freezer bags and used a sandwich bag instead (so don't do that).
Practically, for meat, oxidation in the freezer isn't really isn't a big concern if the food is properly stored, because very few people freeze meat for that long. Plant products are different because they contain enzymes which give off ethylene gas, so exposure to anaerobic conditions (e.g. freezer storage) can lead to off colours and flavours. That's why pre-frozen fruits and vegetables have generally been blanched to kill the enzymes.
Anyway, back to meat - freezing doesn't change any "nutritional profile" other than the supposed food safety issues associated with rancidity. Just cook/eat it within a reasonable time and it's practically the same as fresh.
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How does freezing affect nutritional value?
Generally, frozen foods retain their vitamins and minerals and there is no change to the carbohydrate, protein or fat content. In some cases, frozen foods have more vitamins and minerals compared to fresh because fresh foods lose vitamins and minerals over time while freezing preserves nutrients.Does freezing affect meat quality?
If your beef is loosely wrapped and frozen slowly (or frozen marginally), you risk losing the quality of the meat and subject it to freezer burn. When meat is frozen slowly, the water in it turns to ice crystals that grow large and rupture the fibre or muscle cell structure.Is frozen meat as nutritious as fresh meat?
Initially, fresh meat has a higher nutrient count than frozen. However, fresh meat loses its vitamins and minerals as time passes. So, if you freeze your cuts and thaw them properly, or buy products that have been professionally prepared, you can retain those valuable nutrients as well as the delicious flavour.Does freezing meat reduce protein?
In other words, freezing can result in the destruction of beef myofibrillar protein secondary structures and protein advanced structures unfolded. Once the beef is thawed, the unfolded protein would reaggregation, and protein renaturation.How does Freezing and Cooking Food Affect Nutritional Value?
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