The 3 Best Frozen Vegetables for Gut Health, According to a Gastroenterologist

Buying frozen vegetables is one of the best ways to always have budget-friendly nutritious options on hand. Plus, they’re just as healthy as fresh veggies and more readily available, meaning you can enjoy your favorite flavors out of season.

“Frozen vegetables are amazing because they offer all of the nutritional value but at a fraction of the cost,” gastroenterologist Will Bulsiewicz, M.D., emphasized in a recent Instagram post.

In the video, Bulsiewicz focused on three types of frozen vegetables that provide great benefits. Here are his recommendations—plus recipes to incorporate them into your meals.

Related: The #1 Fall Vegetable to Support Your Metabolism, According to a Gastroenterologist

1. Frozen Broccoli

You may already have this in your freezer, but in case you weren’t already aware, frozen broccoli is one of the healthiest frozen veggies to have on hand.

“Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable, it’s high in fiber, it’s got tons of cancer-fighting phytochemicals, it’s amazing,” Bulsiewicz said.

Try one of these recipes that start with a bag of frozen broccoli, from our One-Pot Lemon-Broccoli Pasta with Parmesan to our Stovetop Veggie Frittata.

2. Frozen Okra

If you’re an okra lover, you can enjoy it all year long when stored frozen—and it’s also great for your gut health, according to Bulsiewicz. 

“It has mucilage, which is the stuff that’s gelatinous and actually that’s incredibly good for your microbiome,”  he explained.

We love hearing this news because it’s just the season for comforting recipes like our Shrimp & Okra Gumbo and Spicy Tamarind Stewed Fish & Okra.

3. Frozen Root Vegetables

You really can’t go wrong with a veggie blend, and for Bulsiewicz, frozen root vegetables are a must-add for your cart.

“Root veggies [are] so in for fall season,” the cookbook author said. “If you look at the blue zones, people coming from the blue zones, 65% of the calories are coming from root veggies, legumes and whole grains. You need more of these.”

The blue zones that Bulsiewicz is referring to are the five areas of the world that have populations which tend to live longer than the average life span, primarily due to their healthy eating patterns and lifestyles. For more longevity-focused tips, check out these 5 healthy habits that can help you live to 100, according to an expert.

Sheet-Pan Roasted Root Vegetables are an easy veggie side dish, or try them on top of this Goat Cheese Polenta for a cozy bite.

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