If you want a healthier alternative to canned foods, you should go with something more organic and natural, especially when it comes to canned foods. All these are free from chemicals and preservatives, and they are often made with fresh ingredients. We all know canned foods are extremely convenient and cost-effective.
However, are they safe for consumption? It is, in fact, imperative to explore the pros and cons of canned foods, as well as the top canned choices you should definitely avoid. Now, let us know if you see any of your favorites among this list, so we can come up with an alternative!
The pros and cons of canned foods
Whether canned or tinned, foods are pre-cooked and preserved in well-packed, airtight containers. This process enhances the increase of their shelf life, making them easier to store and transport. As a result, they are very popular in many different parts of the world.
The main benefits of canned foods oftentimes include convenience and affordability. They are available anywhere you would go, and they can be oftentimes found on sale at supermarkets. Moreover, they need minimal preparation and are often cheaper than fresh and frozen options.
But there are a couple of drawbacks to eating canned foods. One of the most significant concerns is their interesting nutritional value. Plenty of canned foods contain huge amounts of sodium, sugar, and trans fat, which can be detrimental to your health.
This is exactly why it is so important to know exactly which canned foods you need to avoid. Some brands of canned beans have been proven to have high levels of BPA, as well as other types of chemicals that could be harmful to your health.
What is BPA?
BPA (Bisphenol A) is a chemical that is used in a wide variety of products, such as food and beverage containers, plastic bottles, and the lining of metal food cans. BPA has also been widely linked to a variety of health concerns, such as reproductive problems, hormonal imbalances, and a higher risk of developing some types of cancers.
It can leach into food and beverages from containers that are made with BPA, it can also be easily absorbed through the skin. There is an ongoing debate about the overall safety of BPA. Some governments and organizations decided to ban and restrict its general use in some types of products. If you are concerned about exposure to BPA, you can easily choose products that might have the “BPA-free” label.
History of the canned food market
The history of canned food dates all the way back to the early 1800s. The first canned foods were released in France by a Parisian chef named Nicolas Appert, who found a method for preserving food in air-tight glass jars that he defines as “appertization,” which mainly involves heating food to a high temperature and sealing it in a glass jar, helping to preserve the food and foresee the growth of harmful bacteria.
Other inventors later improved Appert’s method, including John Hall, who helped spread the use of metal cans, as well as Louis pasteur, who was the inventor of the pasteurization process. The first commercial canning factory was established in 1813 in the United Kingdom, and the first canned goods were sold in 1820.
In the United States, the canning industry started to take off in the mid-19th century, making canned foods an important actor in the American diet. During World War II, soldiers loved them since they were easy to carry and didn’t need to be kept cold. Since then, the canned food market has grown. Now, it has become a multi-billion-dollar industry. Canned foods have made their way into almost every household around the world.
The dangers of eating canned foods
Canned foods are known to have the highest levels of sodium, sugar, and trans fat. All these are known to be detrimental to your health. They can contain high levels of mercury, which can be especially dangerous for pregnant women and children since it can cause developmental delays and various other health issues.
High levels of sodium can lead to high blood pressure, which raises the risks of heart disease and stroke. High levels of sugar might cause weight gain and an increased risk of diabetes. Trans fat can also increase bad cholesterol levels, which can often lead to other health problems.
The top 10 canned foods you should avoid
If you want to maintain a certain level of safety, it’s very important to know which canned foods you have to avoid. The following represents a list of the top 10 canned foods you should avoid:
- canned soups
- canned vegetables
- canned fruits
- canned meats
- canned fish
- canned beans
- canned sauces
- canned pastas
- canned stews
- canned juices
Canned foods containing high levels of sodium
All these things include canned soups, canned vegetables, canned meats, canned fish, sauces, pasta, beans, stews, and juices. Moreover, there are certain types of canned fruits that could contain added sodium to enhance their flavor. When you buy canned foods, it’s important to check the nutrition label to make sure they don’t contain high levels of sodium. But if they do, it’s best to avoid them and look for a safer alternative.
Canned foods with high levels of sugar
Canned fruits, sauces, pastas, and juices might have high levels of sugar to enhance their flavors. This can oftentimes lead to weight gain and an increased risk of diabetes.
Canned foods with high levels of trans fat
Canned meats, fish, sauces, pasta, and stews can have high levels of trans fat. Trans fat can also raise bad cholesterol levels, which can lead to serious health problems.
Canned foods with high levels of mercury
Canned fish, like tuna, can have high levels of mercury. They can accumulate in the body over time, which could oftentimes lead to cancer and other diseases. Make sure the canned fish doesn’t have high levels of mercury. But if it does, it’s advised to avoid it and try to look for other sources to buy from.
Alternatives: organic and natural canned foods
If you are looking for a healthier alternative to canned foods, what you want is to focus more on organic and natural canned foods. Most of them are free from chemicals and preservatives, and they are often made with fresh ingredients. Organic and natural canned foods are way more expensive than typical canned foods, but they are worth it for the health benefits.
So try not to take the risk. avoid these canned foods and find other, more organic foods. Some of our recommendations are canned black beans, canned peaches, crushed tomatoes, canned pumpkin, canned salmon, canned artichoke hearts, canned chickpeas, canned tuna, canned chicken, canned corn, and canned coconut milk.
All these enlisted are more carefully-made, oftentimes organic, and they don’t pose as much of a health risk. Moreover, they can be thrown into any recipe and healthy dish, which will make the whole process of healthy eating a lot easier than you’d expect!
If you found this article useful, we also recommend checking: 7 High-Sodium Frozen Foods You Should Not Be Eating!
