How to have that peace of mind that canned foods are good

Food cans are generally thought to be less nutritious than fresh foods but slightly better than frozen foods. Some people also claim that they may contain harmful ingredients but those few instances have mostly been traced down to the quality of a can or to a faulty manufacturing process and not to a whole line of qualitycans. Some people though on the other end of the spectrum do bat for food cans and vouch for them being part of any healthy diet.

Food cans were developed in the late 18th century basically to provide a source of clean and nutritious food source for soldiers at war as well as for sailors. And as with any technology, the creation of quality cans too has undergone a sea of changes since their inception. The food cans nowadays carry a variety of food items and the canning process for them only varies slightly as per the product with processing, sealing and heating being majorly followed for all types of food cans products.

Research has shown that canning does in no manner affect the nutrition capability of a food especially when all measures are followed in accordance with the guidelines. Proteins, carbohydrates and fats remain completely unaffected by the process of canning in the food cans with most minerals as well as fat soluble vitamins also retained like vitamin A, D, E and K.

Infact the studies have shown that foods retain their nutritive content with canning for a much longer duration but heat sensitive and water soluble vitamins like vitamin C and B do show a decreased content. However, some of the healthy compounds increase due to the process of canning like antioxidants that get released from tomatoes and corn that release more when heated. They are especially a good source of all nutrients for any area where food storage and transportation of fresh fruits and vegetables is a problem.

Food items also become affordable, convenient and last much longer when packed in food cans and are a practical way to add more nutrient dense food to your diet throughout the year while generally costing much less than the corresponding fresh product. The trick is to read the label and the ingredients list and avoid such food cans that have extra salt or high sugar in cases with medical conditions. Draining and rinsing the food can help in such cases.