Frozen vegetables are as nutrious as fresh vegetables, according to scientific reasearch. Nutrients are "locked in" when vegetables are canned or frozen, while fresh vegetables lose nutrients over time. Here's some news to make your life easier: You can get the nutritional benefits of vegetables by choosing convenient frozen varieties. Researchers at the University of Illinois, Champaign Urbana, compared the effects of processing and storage on the nutrient content of vegetables in a study conducted for Green Giant. Fresh vegetables lose during storage "What we learned in the study was that when vegetables are frozen, the nutrients are 'locked in,'" says Barbara Klein, the principal investigator on the research team. Processing, or the initial heating step, results in a small loss of nutrients. Once that's finished, there's little change in nutrient content over the shelf life of frozen vegetables. In contrast, fresh vegetables from the supermarket steadily lose nutrients from the time of harvest until they are purchased and brought home. We don't eat enough vegetables The SWAD Vegetable Report surveyed more than 1,500 American adults to uncover the in-depth scoop on America's veggie habits and perceptions - everything from nutritional knowledge to favorite toppings. While the survey revealed Americans are clear that they need to eat more vegetables, it also showed they need to brush up on their veggie nutrition knowledge. Nearly three-fourths (73 percent) say they feel they don't fit enough veggies into their diet, and on average, eat about two servings of vegetables each day. Adding vegetables to your diet is easy Try some of these simple strategies developed by our home economists for introducing more vegetables into your daily diet.