Are No Salt Added Canned Vegetables Healthy?
Canned vegetables have long been an essential part of any balanced diet. But with no salt added to them, are they really as healthy as they claim to be? Let’s take a closer look.
The Benefits
No salt added canned vegetables offer multiple advantages to your diet:
- Nutritional content. Canned vegetables retain more of their nutritional content than their fresh counterparts because they are not subjected to cooking conditions that strip away important vitamins and minerals. They’re also picked and canned at the peak of ripeness, meaning they offer more antioxidants than fresh vegetables.
- Convenience. Canned vegetables can last for up to two years on the shelf and don’t require peeling, chopping, or any other kind of preparation making them a great solution for on-the-go snacking or quick meal add-ins.
- Price. Due to the industrial process used to can vegetables, they are usually much cheaper than fresh produce.
The Drawbacks
No salt added canned vegetables may be packed with nutrition, but there are some health-associated drawbacks:
- BPA. To preserve the taste and color of canned vegetables, manufacturers use a chemical called bisphenol-A (BPA) in the linings of the cans. This can leach into the vegetables and has been linked to certain health risks.
- Salt content. Even no salt-added canned vegetables can contain high levels of sodium. Consumers should closely check the labels to make sure they’re not consuming an excessive amount of salt in one sitting.
- Texture. Canned vegetables are typically much softer in texture than their fresh counterparts and this can be unappealing for some consumers.
Conclusion
No salt added canned vegetables can be a great addition to a healthy diet but it’s important to exercise caution when purchasing or consuming them. Check the label for added sugar, salt, and fat content and remember that fresh is always best.
