Canned vs. Fresh vs. Frozen

By Diane Fennell Hardly anyone, least of all anyone with diabetes, hasn't heard the message: Eat more fruits and vegetables. Consuming a hefty dose of produce is recommended by virtually every medical and nutritional organization, for benefits ranging from cancer protection to aid in weight loss and maintenance. But some of the common advice on how to increase your fruit and vegetable intake — visit farmers' markets; shop around the outside (rather than in the center) of the grocery store — ignores the possibility of consuming produce largely in canned rather than fresh or frozen form. And in today's freshness-oriented food culture, using canned fruits and vegetables may seem old-fashioned and even unhealthy or disgusting to some people. So what are the actual pros and cons of canned, frozen, and fresh produce? A study published late last month examined the nutritional and cost differences between canned, frozen, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, it examined 8 common vegetables and 10 common fruits that can be found in all three forms. As described in an article on the study at Medical Daily, the researchers found that most nutrients were preserved in canned fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, some nutrients were found in even greater quantity in canned items: Canned tomatoes, for instance, contain more B vitamins and lycopene than their fresh counterparts. Certain canned vegetables such as beans contain more...
Source: Diabetes Self-Management - Category: Diabetes Authors: Source Type: blogs