Overall, I do not believe that there is a significant difference in water consumption between the two methods, except for those dehydrated foods that are consumed without adding water. My experience with re-hydrating foods that I have previously dehydrated, are that I tend to use less than 1 cup of water per equivalent serving of vegetables than a freeze dried food. On the other hand, some dehydrated food can be consumed without re-constituting with water (particularly fruits or meats). The average amount of water required is a bit more than 1 cup of water per serving (which you would heat up first). I randomly pulled out a few freeze dried food packets that I have on hand here, so that I could read the directions. It does take more water to reconstitute freeze dried food than dehydrated food. The more it takes to cook the less you have to drink.” I recently received a good question from someone who asked… “How much water does it take to cook one serving of dehydrated food versus one serving of freeze dried food. Times vary, but typically are in the range of 12 to 24 hours until sufficient moisture has been removed from the food.įeeze-dried foods rehydrate quicker and dehydrated foods condense further, allowing more to be stored in less space. They are typically sliced thin, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch, and then are slow ‘cooked’ at temperatures ranging from 130 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. The food dehydration process begins with quality vegetables, fruits, or meats. Since the food remains frozen during the process, the food’s cell structures do not change. Moisture is then removed in a vacuum chamber, as a low-level heat is applied to evaporate the ice without returning it to a liquid form. In the freeze-drying process, fresh or cooked foods are first flash frozen. Freeze-drying uses cold temperatures and dehydrating uses hot temperatures. How is freeze-dried food different from dehydrating?Īnswer: The temperature used to removed water. Dehydrated foods will shrivel in size as the moisture is removed. Dehydrated foods have 95% of their water removed for vegetables and 80% for fruits.įreeze dried foods retain their original color, form, size, taste and texture. This reduces the food’s weight by about 90%. You can calculate your recommended daily intake on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.Freeze-dried foods have 98% of their water removed. The recommended number of servings varies from person to person, but general guidelines suggest between two and six servings daily. Whether you choose fresh or freeze-dried, it’s a good idea to include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. In any form, fruits and vegetables provide you with vitamins and nutrients that are essential to your health. This is why nutrition experts recommend that freeze-dried foods might be added as a supplement to someone’s diet, but should not act as a replacement for fresh foods. So, one cup of freeze-dried fruit will contain more pieces of fruit than one cup of fresh fruit. Confused? Think about it like this - if one cup of a particular fresh fruit is 100 calories, when you freeze dry that same amount of fruit it will shrink in size. What about calories? Because freeze-dried fruits and vegetables lack water, they are highly concentrated, which means they contain more calories than their original form. Most researchers agree that the amount of nutrients lost from freeze-drying is miniscule. Research has shown that while freeze-dried fruits and vegetables contain slightly lower amounts of certain vitamins, they are rich in antioxidants and fiber. So, the question is, are freeze-dried fruits and veggies good for you? While most of the chemicals used in these processes are FDA approved and regulated, it is good to be aware that some chemicals may have adverse health effects, particularly for those who have a sulfite sensitivity. Also keep in mind that the freeze-drying process involves chemical treatments. Some freeze-dried food can last for several years! Just remember that if you’re eating a lot of freeze-dried foods, you want to stay extra hydrated to make up for their lack of water. This prevents food from spoiling, while still maintaining most of its flavor, color, texture, and nutritional value. Freeze-drying is a process that preserves food by removing 98 percent of its water content. The main difference between freeze-dried foods and fresh foods is water. Ever try freeze-dried ice cream in a pouch designed for astronauts? Well, freeze-dried foods are no longer just for space travel! They are now available to anyone who enjoys snacking on the go and there are a lot more options than just ice cream.
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