Frozen veggies from garden

[A4PigHome]

I live in northern MN so fresh veggies can be expensive because I have to buy them at the grocery store for 9 months of the year. During the summer, I plant a large garden and freeze veggies for my family. Can I do the same for my guinea pigs? (For example: peppers, beans, carrots, etc) I know they wouldn't be as crunchy after they are frozen, but at least I know they are healthy veggies because I grew them myself.

 

[ParanoidEv]

I don't really know, but I can't seem to find any reason why you shouldn't do it!

 

[suzy_99]

I asked my vet the same question, particularly about frozen broccoli because it is so much cheaper then fresh and although he had never really been asked that before, he saw no reason that I couldn't do it.

 

[DocDolittle]

I've heard that doing anything to frsh veggies(Baking, freezing, steaming) Removes alot of nutrients from the plant.

 

[The Dumpling]

Actually, that's not totally correct - it depends on how they're harvested. Fresh vegetables are best, though frozen vegetables are actually not that bad - freezing destroys little nutritional value. It is actually much healthier than canned vegetables - canned vegetables could have salt or preservatives. https://www.sportsfirst.com/library/library123.asp

 

[DocDolittle]

Okay, I wasn't totally sure. All I know is that canned vegetables have no nutritonal value.

 

[Treen]

Because veggies have such a high water content, freezing does affect the texture and flavour - it's not so noticeable when you cook them afterwards, but raw it's just not the same. Foods that are too cold can upset their stomachs too, so you'd have to be very careful there.

I don't think it's a good idea at all - they're meant to eat fresh veggies and that's what gives the best nutritional content. Veggies that have been frozen just aren't close (I know I certainly wouldn't like to eat frozen and defrosted veggies instead of fresh raw ones).