Because you don’t always want to worry about cooking, arming yourself with jars can be very useful. But which ones should you choose to take care of your figure and your health? Two dietitians share their favorite preserves.
Cans, great allies for your figure and your health
Contrary to popular belief, cans are excellent for your health. The canning process, firstly, minimizes the time between harvesting and processing of food – allowing essential nutrients (protein, fiber, minerals, etc.) to be largely preserved.
Then, once preserved, the food can be kept for several months, even several years, without any health risk.
“In cans or jars, canned foods retain most of the nutrients in food and are very practical for consuming products out of season. And in general, jars and preserves are rather economical! The opportunity to cook easy and delicious recipes without breaking the bank“, confirms the government site Manger Bouger.
This is why dietician Amy Reed, aware of her strengths, shared the canned food to always have at home in the columns of the media Today. And it’s…beans.
“I’m a big fan of it“, assures the dietitian. “I think all beans are more or less equal“, she explains to our colleagues.
A good enough reason to consume it? Here’s what our nutrition expert, Alexandra Murcier, thinks.
Dried vegetables that satiate and stabilize blood sugar levels
While beans may not be very appealing on paper, in reality, they are full of benefits, assures our expert.
“Indeed, beans (red, black, white, etc.) are very interesting dried vegetables nutritionally because their glycemic index is low. They are also rich in fiber (which stabilizes blood sugar, provides satiety, which is beneficial for weight loss), rich in vegetable proteins (but which do not contain all the essential amino acids, so, for a well-balanced vegetarian plate, consider combining them with cereals and vegetables). The fiber they contain also helps trap cholesterol, so in summary – they’re all good!” relates Alexandra Murcier.
Lentils also have the same benefits. But take care to decipher their label carefully. “Try to choose them of French origin, because many lentils come from Canada where chemicals banned in Europe are used,” specifies the specialist.
Other canned foods to always have in your cupboards: fatty fish (mackerel, sardines, etc.) which are an excellent source of protein, as well as omega 3, but which are not as contaminated by heavy metals as tuna and salmon.
As for liquids for preserving legumes – often very salty or sweet – it is suitable “rinse them before using them”, concludes the dietician.