Canned foods and preservatives ?

To be honest I very seldom get any canned foods, save for soup or tuna, but I did get a can of sliced pineapple the other day to go with my planned ham dinner for New Year's Day. In fact I try to get as little processed food as possible and cook everything up from scratch, which of course is so much purer. I know you've written a lot of discussions here in relation to diabetes and diabetic foods/meals. You know I can't help wonder if diabetes and hypertension both are are the rise due to so many people relying on processed foods which either have too much sugar added or salt--I don't think issues of diabetes or hypertension was such an issue in our grandparents or great grandparents time as they cooked everything from scratch as well As for reading labels on foods..oh, yes. That's precisely why I don't buy processed foods in general, not even frozen stuff. You have to be a biochemist to understand all the stuff that is in foods!

Yes, I love pineapple canned and preserved in its own juice. You have the fruit to eat and then a small glass of juice to drink. It's good and healthy for you and you don't have to worry about fresh fruit going bad! I always check labels at the store. I can't handle high sodium contents. Both my husband and I have high blood pressure so we have to watch what we eat. Have you ever noticed that the stores hardly carry no salt added vegetables? Go figure--yet hypertension is on the rise in the United States. I guess they don't realize the market for "natural" foods.

Well yes, I definitely chk the labels on processed food for preservatives, added food colour and expiry date. Even I have noticed fruits being canned and sold with ‘no preservatives added’ label but I take it with a pinch of salt. Maybe because I have never been to any place where the actual preservation and processing takes place so I am a bit skeptical but I would really like to know how you preserve something as perishable as fruit in its natural juices without compromising on preservatives, colour and taste. Seasonal fruits bought and consumed fresh is the best bet for me. Only those items that take long to prepare at home or maybe serve as a quick snack (like cakes, soup powder, baked beans etc) are bought off the shelves.

Hello,Actually i dont like tinned food and fruits.I like only fresh fruits without any preservatives.The taste and nutrition value of fresh goods is much more than tinned and canned food and fruits.

To be honest I don't like fruits in a can.The can fruits are too sweety!I don't thing they are good for hearlth. Some can fruits are added in sugars or preeservatives but some ones are not.When I choose the can fruits,I will take the natural juice without any addition.

Hmm I never thought to check that...It is wonderful to know that they do it that way...I wish they can do that for all the food instead of just the fruits...but maybe it is because fruits have so much natural sugar content that they don't need anything more but with veggies they lack that so the chemistry is different and they need to add that in to keep it preserved...

About 2 years ago I really started reading food labels. I was shocked to find how many chemicals were used in food I ate everyday. I always read labels these days and avoid corn syrup, hydrogenated fats, enriched flour, and any artificial ingredients.

I try not to eat too many things from a can. Fresh fruit is way better, the only problem is i guess it doesn't last as long. Especially bananas! i just buy a few things at a time and go back a few times through the week so it doesn't go bad :) I have no idea why they can't do that for all foods, but i have seen the "canned" fruit that are now in the clear jars by dole, i think it is. That is a good idea. You can see if your fruit is nasty or if its good looking :)

Oh yes, I am a label reader. We don't need the extra sugars, especially in the fruit which are naturally sweet anyways. Unfortunately, my husband is not, and has brought home canned juice with corn syrup/sugar and I make it, but limit how much my son gets..

I don't buy canned food or even boxed food for that matter. I make everything from scratch. I even try and grow a lot of my food.

I try to check. I make a pretty good effort at keeping my kid away from High fuctose corn syrup. And most red dyes.I think if consumers made a bigger try at only purchasing the naturals, then the distributers would have to change their processing habits. At least in order to make any money.

I have never seen a fruit canned in it's own juice. What is the brand name? I would like to see if it is sold in my area.

Hi, KPWGIRL. I have seen many types of foods that have been made with no preservatives. The fruit is an excellent choice. I think that many foods should be made without any added artificial flavors and preservatives. I know that most of the baby food is made like this.

I do check labels and preservatives but not sugar

You're absolutely right. Most foods could be canned without any artificial preservatives. The way to do this is the old fashioned way of heat sterilizing the can after its sealed. This can be expensive and some cans don't preserve properly this way. Its cheaper to just throw in a chemical. Like you I avoid chemically preserved foods. You may pay a little more, but its worth it.