(Food-Beverage-News.Com, March 16, 2015 ) Oakland, CA -- When it comes to eating healthy, fresh produce rank high on any health-conscious individual's shopping list. Canned foods, on the other hand, are not always the preferred route towards a healthy path. Even so, contemporary kitchenware maker Finesseur reveals that individuals may find an unlikely ally in canned foods in their pursuit to keep it fit and healthy.
"Unknown to many, canned foods can be a nutritious source of important vitamins and nutrients, too," says Allison Montgomery, spokesperson for Finesseur. "Canned fruits and vegetables, for example, are actually as healthy or sometimes even healthier than fresh produce."
Brenda Roche Wolford, M.S., R.D., nutrition advisor for Los Angeles County at the University of California Cooperative Extension, also related that canned fruits and vegetables also have the same amount of nutrients as their fresh counterparts. Roche Wolford added that to have a consistently healthy diet, one should consider all food options, including canned goods.
"When you're into a strict diet, it is important to have a consistent supply of fruits and vegetables in your daily menu. Some fruits, for example, are not available all year round, so your best source of nutrients from these fruits are from the canned ones," shares Montgomery. "As they stay fresh when they are canned, you can be sure you get the nutrients you need at their highest."
To help individuals incorporate the healthy goodness of canned foods in their daily diet, Finesseur shares these simple tips:
1. When doing soups or casseroles, canned beans can provide a healthy boost to get some fiber and protein.
2. Make pasta dishes healthier by incorporating canned tomatoes, which is also rich in lycopene as fresh tomatoes. Lycopene is an antioxidant that helps prevent certain types of cancer such as prostate cancer.
3. Whip up an easy tuna on toast recipe that includes canned tuna and cream of mushroom soup for a quick seafood fix.
4. Make a meatballs dish nutritious using canned pineapple, or toss favorite fruits in can together for a healthy fruit salad treat.
5. Canned pumpkin can be a convenient alternative for pie filling, which is a good source of carotenoids, iron, calcium, and magnesium.
Keep it safe when using canned ingredients
To ensure health and safety when using canned foods, Montgomery says it is a must to keep in mind some useful reminders. "When choosing canned fruit, pick ones that are diluted in water or its own juice. Those with high blood pressure should choose canned foods with less or no salt added, or rinse them before use to reduce the sodium content. Stay away from dented cans as these may be signs of contamination. Before opening cans, make sure your hands and the lid of the can are clean. Most importantly, never use an unclean can opener," advises Montgomery.
To ensure safety when opening cans, Montgomery encourages investing in a high-quality, low-maintenance can opener. "The Finesseur Safety Smooth Edge Can Opener, for example, provides safety and efficiency by opening cans smoothly without leaving rough edges. This ensures protection from cuts while keeping can contents safe from cross-contamination as its blade is designed to cut away from the contents," explains Montgomery.
With their tips, Finesseur hopes health-conscious individuals will incorporate canned foods into their daily diet. "Canned foods can be healthier substitutes when doing a particular recipe, and a convenient go-to ingredient when you want your dishes to have an instant health boost," concludes Montgomery.
About Finesseur
Finesseur brings fashion design, precise engineering, and top quality craftsmanship together in American kitchens. Finesseur believes kitchen tools should be not only functional, but also inspirational.
