Additional Coverage:
- 9 Canned Foods You Should Never Buy (cheapism.com)
Napoleon may have championed canned foods for his troops, but some modern-day canned goods should be left on the battlefield, so to speak. Here are some canned culprits to avoid:
Fruit Cocktail: That glistening fruit cocktail may look tempting, but it’s swimming in sugary syrup, turning a potentially healthy snack into a sugar bomb. Even “no sugar added” versions often contain artificial sweeteners that aren’t doing your gut any favors. Fresh or frozen fruit is always a better choice.
Refried Beans: Canned refried beans are a sad, sodium-laden shadow of their former selves. Loaded with salt and often unhealthy fats, they offer little nutritional value. Making your own refried beans is easy and much healthier.
Pre-Cooked Pasta: While SpaghettiOs and other canned pasta varieties may evoke childhood memories, they’re nutritional nightmares. High in sodium, preservatives, and unhealthy fats, they’re easily surpassed by boiling some actual pasta.
White Tuna (Albacore): While convenient, white tuna (albacore) packs a hefty dose of mercury. Choose light tuna or other low-mercury fish options instead.
Vienna Sausages: These tiny sausages are bursting with sodium, nitrates, and preservatives. High in fat and low in protein, they’re a nutritional dud.
Canned Soup: Once considered a healthy meal, most canned soups are now recognized as sodium bombs. They often contain excessive salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Homemade soup is a far healthier and tastier option.
Corned Beef: Canned corned beef is typically made with lower-quality cuts of meat and is excessively high in sodium due to the brining process. Deli-fresh corned beef, though still high in sodium, is a better option. Also, remember that processed meats are linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Canned Chicken: Often rubbery, bland, and excessively high in sodium, canned chicken pales in comparison to rotisserie or pre-cooked refrigerated chicken.
Canned Clams: The canning process often leaves clams rubbery and with a metallic aftertaste. They can also be high in sodium and may contain shell fragments. Frozen or fresh clams are superior choices.
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- 9 Canned Foods You Should Never Buy (cheapism.com)