I have partnered with Cans Get You Cooking to share with you this week’s caliente topic: Top three reasons why you should eat more canned foods.
I’m also excited to share with you two delicious recipes that are perfect for any great American holiday, but especially Thanksgiving, which is just around the corner: Fire-Roasted Corn, Tomato and Chicken Sausage Bowl and a yummy, nutritious and sweet dessert, Cinnamon Spiced Fruit Bake.
So, why should you make canned foods a regular part of your meal routine
Nutrition
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 1 in 10 adults get enough fruits and vegetables. So, the number one reason I love and recommend eating more canned foods is because canned foods help make eating healthy easier and more convenient. When canned fruits and vegetables are incorporated into diets, people tend to eat more fruits and vegetables, which can help you reach the recommended daily goal of 2-3 cups per day.
And did you know canned foods have similar, and sometimes better, nutritional profiles as their fresh or frozen counterparts? For example, canned tomatoes contain more of the anti-inflammatory phytonutrient lycopene than fresh tomatoes. Canned produce is always harvested at their peak ripeness and canned within 4 hours, locking in vital nutrients and ensuring the best quality and taste.
Safety & Sustainability
The second reason why we want to eat more canned foods is because they are sustainable and provide year-round access to seasonal fruits and vegetables by protecting food from spoilage and keeping food safe. Their long-lasting shelf life also helps reduce the number of trips I take to the store, which is one important way to stay safe and healthy during these stressful and uncertain times. It also reduces the amount of food I end up tossing out. How many times have you had to trash a molding tomato or a squishy peach because it was left forgotten in your kitchen?? You don’t have to worry about that issue with their canned counterparts.
Cost & Convenience
As you probably already know, I highly recommend cooking more at home, because you have more control of your ingredients, portions and your meals are more budget friendly. That being said, the third reason I recommend using more canned foods is because they can help us with meal prep. Canned foods are already portioned in sizes that are just right for both individual recipes or preparing family meals, helping minimize food waste and making the most out of your grocery budget. Additionally, cooking with canned foods can help save time too, since you don’t have to do so much washing, chopping and measuring, meaning less time in the kitchen and more quality time spent with your family, exercising or working on your hobbies.
Ready to try these delicious, easy and nutritious recipes just in time for the holidays? Check out the recipe demonstration in the video above!
