5 Facts about Canned Foods and their Benefits

Americans are unsure about the benefits of canned foods.

Relying more on canned foods, which come pre-cleaned, chopped and cooked, and easily portioned, can help you quickly assemble delicious and nutritious meals. But as evidenced by a recent consumer survey*, Americans are unsure of the benefits canned foods bring to the table.

Consider these facts …

1. Canned Food Offers Sound Nutrition to Help Americans Achieve Nutrient Needs Canned food is filled with important nutrients, including fiber, protein, and vitamins and minerals essential for a healthy diet. Yet less than half (42%) of Americans surveyed realize the nutrients in canned food count toward meeting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) dietary recommendations.
2. Canned Food Offers Comparable Nutrition to Fresh and Frozen Research shows canned foods offer comparable nutrients often at a lower cost than their fresh or frozen counterparts, particularly when waste and prep-time are considered. Additional research demonstrates that recipes prepared with canned ingredients rated the same or better in terms of taste and nutrition compared to those using fresh or frozen ingredients.
3. You Can Enjoy Canned Foods While Watching Sodium Intake Canned food contributes less than 1% of the sodium in consumers’ diets and there are more no-salt added, low- and reduced-sodium options on grocery shelves than ever before. A quick drain and rinse can further reduce sodium content by 41%.
4. Canned Foods are Minimally Processed Canned foods are considered minimally processed foods. After being cleaned, peeled, chopped and trimmed, as necessary, foods are cooked in the can to lock in nutrients and flavor.
5. Steel Cans are Among the Safest Forms of Food Packaging Steel cans are strong, tamper resistant and feature an airtight seal to help guard against foodborne illness and contamination. In addition, steel cans are the most recycled food package.

Seek the advice of a nutritionist. Find a grocery store that has a nutritionist who can help you identify healthier foods for you and your family.

To learn more about canned foods and discover tasty recipes featuring canned ingredients, visit Mealtime.org.