Is Freeze Dried Food Healthy?

Freeze-dried food can be incredibly healthy for you when it comes to natural, whole foods (candy and ice cream, not so much). This writing focuses on the health benefits of natural foods that we want to preserve and then consume again at a later date.

Up to 97% of nutrients can be preserved in freeze-dried foods, depending on the food and nutrient type. This means that most of what goes into the machine remains largely intact and usable for many years, depending on storage conditions. Freeze-dried food gives its owners the ability to consume nutrients the body needs in almost any environment by rehydrating with hot or cold water. Some foods can be eaten straight away without rehydration.

Freeze drying helps preserve nutrients because it uses low temperatures and removes moisture without prolonged high heat, which can damage vitamins and minerals during other preservation methods.

Some of our favorite foods to freeze dry for emergency use:

• Strawberries (contain vitamin C and antioxidants)
• Bananas (contain fiber, potassium, and vitamin C)
• Apples (contain fiber, antioxidants, and are also quite filling)
• Corn (contains antioxidants and makes a great snack or topping for other meals with the seasonings we use)
• Onions and herbs (these are great ways of getting nutrients while also adding flavor to meals you might be cooking in non-optimal situations)
• Cooked eggs and cooked meat (we prefer not to store uncooked items because any bacteria present before freeze drying will still be there; cooking first allows us to safely rehydrate with hot water later)
• Ice cream (while not a health food, it can be a morale booster and comfort item during wilderness trips or emergency situations)

Some freeze-dried foods to avoid, or at least be aware of, when freeze drying:

• Raw meats and eggs (these will retain any bacteria that was on or in them, so you must have a way to cook them thoroughly after storage and rehydration)
• Fatty foods (these do not freeze dry well, or if they do, they may have a shorter shelf life due to the high fat content)