[Canned] vs. [Frozen]

organiclove
organiclove Posts: 12
in Food and Nutrition
Nutrition facts can be brutally confusing at times, but this just doesn't seem to have an explanation..

I currently have two varieties of Edamame in the house. A frozen bag, and a medium-sized can. Both types are Organic, both are removed from the pod [shelled]. So basically, I've got a lot of organic, shelled edamame. The only difference is in the packaging. Now for the facts, anyone would think they would be identical, yes? Well take a look..

Frozen - Serving size [2/3 cup, 85g] - 120 cals
Canned - Serving size [1/2 cup] - 160 cals

Can anyone explain this to me?! The ONLY thing that came to mind is that with the canned, they are factoring in the water that the beans are packaged in. Other than that, I can't understand why a smaller half cup serving would be More calories than the larger 2/3 cup serving.

Replies

  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    I decided to do some math, and the only thing that does not add up is the fact that clearly the canned version has more 'junk' in it.

    http://www.calorieking.com/foods/search.php?keywords=edamame

    Its interesting reading to see the differences in products, whether fresh/raw, boiled, or a name-brand product.

    There may be sizing differences of the actual bean itself. You probably can fit more into a 1/2C serving when they are smaller in size... that can account for the increase of calories.

    I believe that weighing them by ounces is a much better method of determining accurate calorie-counting, myself. I stay away from canned like it was the plague! LOL!
  • Zichu
    Zichu Posts: 542 Member
    See I was trying to get my head around this as well, I had a post written out, but it just didn't seem right lol. I was thinking the same as cramernh, it must have something added to it to increase the amount of calories in it.

    Are the beans the same size as each other??

    The way I measure food out is in grams, because cup sizes are just terrible, they don't take into account how big each bean, pea, etc. is. So you will be able to fit more smaller beans into a cup than you would if the beans were bigger because there is a lot more air in between each bean compared to smaller beans.

    If you were to fill two cups up, one big beans and the other smaller beans. Weigh both and the smaller one could come out being heavier, which means more calories.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    Are the beans the same size as each other??

    The way I measure food out is in grams, because cup sizes are just terrible, they don't take into account how big each bean, pea, etc. is. So you will be able to fit more smaller beans into a cup than you would if the beans were bigger because there is a lot more air in between each bean compared to smaller beans.

    .

    Thats exactly what I was thinking - the actual size of the bean. Canned foods are processed foods - whether organic or not, its still a food that has been processed for the purposes of being shelf-stabilized into a can, thus the difference in readings...

    Canned foods are the devil - Id much rather play target practice with them to be honest, LOL!!!!!!
  • ahamm002
    ahamm002 Posts: 1,690 Member
    Frozen is always better than canned in pretty much every way.
  • organiclove
    organiclove Posts: 12
    After opening, rinsing, and draining the CAN of edamame, I believe you guys are correct about the size! The size of the canned soybeans are visibly smaller than the frozen ones were [I ate them last night, haha]. Also, this is off topic, but the COLOR of the canned beans is something else that I noticed. They are pale, a light tan color, while the frozen ones were bright green [as they should be!]. I suppose frozen is indeed better than canned!

    Another question I had was for the weight. I too, usually measure food in grams or ounces, but canned stuff never seems to come out correct. The last time I tried weighing out the130g portion size of canned beans, it was closer to a full cup, no where near the half cup serving. Do they account for the water/liquid inside the can? I always drain the beans, and would hope that the weight would be a drained weight, but now i'm not so sure..

    Thank you!
  • k8blujay2
    k8blujay2 Posts: 4,941 Member
    What were the ingredients in the can of edemame versus the frozen package?

    I am not sure on organic... but I know that a can of corn can have salt and even sugar in it (among other things) the "help" stablize the shelf life, whereas the frozen are less likely to have these things in it... also contributing to the discrepency of calories.
  • BeingAwesome247
    BeingAwesome247 Posts: 1,171 Member
    frozen is WAY better haha
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    What were the ingredients in the can of edemame versus the frozen package?

    I am not sure on organic... but I know that a can of corn can have salt and even sugar in it (among other things) the "help" stablize the shelf life, whereas the frozen are less likely to have these things in it... also contributing to the discrepency of calories.

    About the only thing canned that I will purchase are stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato puree, etc.. My husband likes that as a go-to for making a quick marinara when I am not home to cook. He does a pretty good job I must say, when he has to make something... but, if he knew how to better prepare himself on the nights he has to cook - he would remember that I have fresh, bulk marinara, portioned out into quart container already made, in the freezer. He just has to take one out the night before to thaw! LOL!

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