Fresh vs. Frozen Produce: When To Pick One Over The Other

To help you make a more informed decision, Grasso recommends asking yourself the following questions:

Take corn, for example. If you're shopping for corn in the summer, fresh is generally the way to go. If you're shopping in the winter, though, frozen corn will be the more flavorful option. (Here: a guide for seasonal produce.) 

Produce, especially when organic, can be pricey. "Frozen varieties offer up the same nutritional benefits and are often available at a lower price point, typically costing about $1 to $3 per pound, so don't ignore the freezer aisle," registered dietitian Jess Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN, once wrote. 

This is especially important for produce, like spinach and berries, which are quick to spoil. If you know you won't eat these less-resilient foods within the first week, consider buying frozen. If you're shopping for citrus, potatoes, onions, or apples, however, Feller says those tend to have a longer shelf life and will probably be OK fresh. 

When it comes down to it, are you really going to peel and chop those carrots, or would you be more likely to cook with them if this step was done for you? There's no right or wrong answer to that question. "Buy what works best for you," Grasso says. 

Next time you're building your grocery list, or browsing through the supermarket aisles, think through these four questions. Doing so may help you make a more thoughtful decision, which can keep you from wasting food and may even encourage you to eat a more nutritionally diverse diet.