If you consume freeze dried food, one question that should arise in your mind is “Does freeze drying alter the calorie count of food?” In today’s article, we will explain the reality of the situation when it comes to the caloric count of your food and freeze dried food processing. You know how important the appropriate nourishment is to your consumer’s success as a fellow hiker, athlete, or outdoors enthusiast, especially while they’re on the trail or on the go.

Their challenge is finding the time to get, prepare, and carry portable, delicious, and genuinely healthy food for your body! (That’s when your delicious freeze dried solutions come in!)

So What Is The Deal With Freeze Drying?

Since freeze drying eliminates between 90 and 98% of the moisture from food, studies reveal that the main distinction between fresh food and its freeze dried counterpart is water. According to industry tests, freeze dried food has a negligible nutritional loss. This loss, on average, is only about 97% of the original nutrient content of food that hasn’t been dried. 

Is Food That Has Been Freeze Dried Healthy?

Because water sublimates at low temperatures, freeze drying is one of the greatest food preservation techniques for maintaining quality nearly identical to fresh food. The low temperature in a vacuum and the absence of water prevent practically all food degradation.

Since freeze drying eliminates the food’s water content, it does not affect its nutritional value. Fortunately, if the food is wholesome and tasty before it is dried, it will still be wholesome and delicious after it is dried!

Can Freeze Drying Change Food’s Nutritional Value?

The significant number of calories, amount of fiber, and overall mineral content is unaffected by the freeze drying process. Some water-soluble vitamins, like folate and vitamin C, for example, can be impacted, however. Nevertheless, the majority of the nutrient value will be preserved. You can compare any nutritional losses from this technique to if you had frozen leftovers to eat from the following week. (Though we can say the same is not held true for the taste, yum!)

Freeze drying is unaffected by fat, protein, carbs, or sugar. Because of the fluctuating fluid content, the freeze dried meal is what makes it so light and airy. If you need more information on free dried foods, you can visit Shepherd Foods.  

Is The Weight Of Freeze Dried Food The Same As Fresh For Calorie Counting?

When calculating the food’s weight for calorie counting, keep in mind that fluid is eliminated during the freeze drying process. The structure and shape of the food remain unchanged, with a notable volume change resulting from the extraction of water from the processed product. Because of this, freeze dried food is lighter than the original product, and its texture is incredibly porous, allowing for quick and effective water absorption. 

Remember that you can’t compare your weight when counting calories! Comparing the calorie content of 100g of raw carrots against 100g of diced carrots will reveal some differences. When it comes to freeze dried food, this difference becomes majorly significant! A fresh red bell pepper weighs 100g and has about 40 calories. Red bell peppers that have been freeze dried have 430 calories per 100g. If you’re just comparing weights, that’s a rather significant difference.

Why Is Freeze Dried Food So Nutritionally Dense?

Because of this contrast in weight, freeze dried food is considered nutritionally dense. Concerning our red bell peppers, 100g of dried bell peppers is equivalent to more than 1,000g of fresh bell pepper. Grounding up those dried bell peppers, you could make around 1/4 cup of dried powder. Think about adding that to your cream cheese and bagel for breakfast! That powder is incredibly rich in nutrients, fiber, and calories.

Takeaways on Freeze Dried Food Nutrition

When it comes to nutrition, freeze dried food provides a lot of wins for your business and consumers alike. Shepherd Foods is a professional supplier you can count on if you want to provide commercial freeze dried foods to your consumers at an affordable price. Our industry grade services have offered solutions for the last couple of years and provide the highest quality co-manufacturing and co-packing services at a minimum price. 

For more information about how our services can benefit your business, give us a call at (800) 497-8321.

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