Top five foods every slimmer should have in their freezer
Frozen berries
Why? - Fresh berries are bursting with immune boosting vitamin C but the amount they contain can soon plummet if they are stored for any length of time. Frozen berries however have all that goodness locked in making them just as good (if not better) than the fresh stuff but so much more convenient and they can be used in so many ways, not least of all as a low calorie dessert or breakfast topping.
How? - Pop a cup full of frozen berries such as raspberries, fruits of the forest or blueberries into a blender. Add a small tin of pineapple, a splash of fruit juice and a banana and blend for a taste bud tingling, super cool smoothie that works just as well as a speedy breakfast as it does as a snack or a dessert.
Frozen soy beans
Why? - An 80 grams serving of these super convenient, tasty little beans provides 20 per cent of the vitamin C you need in a day plus ten of the 25 grams of soya protein you need to help reduce blood cholesterol. They are also a great source of fibre and slow releasing carbohydrates which means they are great at keeping cravings at bay.
How? - Use them pretty much as you would frozen peas. They taste great added to rice pasta salads or stir fries too or just add them to boiling water for a couple of minutes, drain, sprinkle with a little salt and eat them as a tasty snack.
[Related feature: Top five foods every slimmer should have in their cupboards]
Frozen king prawns
Why? - With less than 60 calories per serving and almost no fat, frozen king prawns are a great way of adding cell repairing, satiating protein to your meals in minutes.
How? - Use them defrosted in sandwiches, add to stir fries and rice dishes, throw a generous handful into pasta dishes and curries or add to any home made salad to make it feel that little bit special.
Mixed vegetables
Why? - We all know we should be eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day but all that chopping, peeling and slicing can be a little off putting. That's where your bag of frozen mixed veg comes in. The filling fibre frozen veg contains coupled with the relatively low calories mean these little multi-coloured gems really are a slimmer's best friend.
How? - Whether you're making a pasta sauce, curry, soup, rice salad, stir fry, Thai noodles or a casserole just grab a bag from the freezer and add a few handfuls to the pot. What could be simpler?
[Related article: Five foods your should never freeze]
Wild Alaskan salmon
Why? - Wild-caught Alaska salmon, which matures at a natural pace in the pristine waters off Alaska's rugged 34,000-mile coast line, have high concentrations of omega 3 oils proven to reduce the risk of coronary disease and help treat and prevent of many other diseases.
Salmon is also an excellent source of high-quality protein, containing all the essential amino acids, contains vitamins A, D, B6 and B2, as well as niacin and riboflavin, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium and phosphorus.
As if all that wasn't enough, the high protein levels couple with the fatty acids found in salmon help to reduce hunger and keep you feeling fuller for longer.
How? - Simply wrap a frozen fillet in some tin foil and bake in the oven for a super easy, extremely nutritious supper that can be served with rice, pasta, salad or fresh vegetables.
Alternatively, use it to make fish cakes or pie.
