Spinach in a can?

bennjammin
bennjammin Posts: 40 Member
edited November 11 in Food and Nutrition
Any opinions on canned spinach (no salt added)? Ingredients: spinach and water. I just picked up several cans and it actually doesn't taste bad at all.

Replies

  • earlyxer
    earlyxer Posts: 240 Member
    Loaded with sodium or not, most of the "good stuff" has already leached away. Unless you plan on drinking the liquid, haha! Even steaming spinach is bad, it's far better to sautee it in a hot skillet with a little olive oil (garlic helps too) until it's just wilted.
  • hope516
    hope516 Posts: 1,133 Member
    Loaded with sodium and most of the "good stuff" has already leached away. Unless you plan on drinking the liquid, haha! Even steaming spinach is bad, it's far better to sautee it in a hot skillet with a little olive oil (garlic helps too) until it's just wilted.

    I agree with the above poster on your question...

    but also what about frozen? would you say its the same scenario???
  • earlyxer
    earlyxer Posts: 240 Member
    Not sure how they process it. If it's just crushed into a cube and frozen, it's probably fine except that you're not really going to be able to sautee it. Of maybe they boiled it already and then froze it.....in which case the nutrients were left at the processor's plant. I buy lots of frozen broccoli/cauliflower and just microwave it but I get spinach washed and bagged , never really liked it frozen.
  • KimmieBrie
    KimmieBrie Posts: 825 Member
    Not sure how they process it. If it's just crushed into a cube and frozen, it's probably fine except that you're not really going to be able to sautee it. Of maybe they boiled it already and then froze it.....in which case the nutrients were left at the processor's plant. I buy lots of frozen broccoli/cauliflower and just microwave it but I get spinach washed and bagged , never really liked it frozen.

    Yeah - I find frozen spinach ends up with so much ice in it that it doesn't cook the same as fresh no matter what you do. I like fresh spinach and it keeps pretty well.

    I'm addicted to those steamfresh veggie mixes though - quick and easy - good stuff!
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    I don't like the metal taste canned Veggies have. Rather use frozen or fresh.
  • earlyxer
    earlyxer Posts: 240 Member
    If I eat any more broccoli in a day I'm gonna sprout florets out of my ears.

    Found an interesting page: http://www.ilovespinach.com/nutrition.html

    Fresh vs. frozen, fresh has 2.5X the fiber, 2.5X the vitamin C, and 10X (ten times ladies - ten!) the iron than frozen. Ironically, frozen has more vitamin A. Go figure.
  • treetop57
    treetop57 Posts: 1,578 Member
    It worked for Popeye!

    popeyeDM1211_228x352.jpg

    I'm sure fresh cage-free organic free-range spinach lightly sauteed in extra virgin olive oil from the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius is better (and better for you) than canned spinach. But I'm also sure that canned spinach is better and (better for you) than any number of other things you could eat. If you like it, and it's an easy way for you to eat a green leaf vegetable that you wouldn't eat otherwise, I say "Go for it!"
  • kevanos
    kevanos Posts: 304 Member
    Frozen veggies are often harvested when they are ripe and frozen very quickly.
    Non-local fruits and vegetables are harvested before being ripe and ripen during transport and delivery which can take a couple days. Add the shelf life too and you are talking about quite a long time.

    So frozen produce can be more nutritious than fresh.
  • treetop57
    treetop57 Posts: 1,578 Member
    Frozen veggies are often harvested when they are ripe and frozen very quickly.
    Non-local fruits and vegetables are harvested before being ripe and ripen during transport and delivery which can take a couple days. Add the shelf life too and you are talking about quite a long time.

    So frozen produce can be more nutritious than fresh.

    That's what Jamie Oliver said on "The Food Revolution" last year. Then I saw a Green Giant commercial saying the exact same thing. Then I saw that "The Food Revolution" was sponsored by Green Giant!

    But I don't think Jamie would say it if it weren't true.
  • bennjammin
    bennjammin Posts: 40 Member
    Thanks for the responses! I'll definitely keep the canned spinach (no salt added) around for emergencies, and as mentioned, it's definitely better than a lot of other poor choices out there. Like everyone else with a busy work week (and life in general), it's always been pretty easy for ME to F up consistent and healthy eating. Convenience plays a big role me. Although I don't live off of protein powder and protein bars, I do like keep them handy in my car and at work (i.e. I forgot my lunch).

    With that said, tracking the details of what I put into my mouth and the opinions of others has made a world of difference for me. I take it all in and pick and choose what works for me. Thanks again!

    On paper...or in the can at sixty cents a pop, it doesn't look horrible.

    3 Servings per Can

    Each Serving:
    Calories 30
    Fat 0g
    Cholesterol 0g
    Sodium 60mg
    Carbs 3g
    Fiber 2g
    Sugars 0g
    Protein 2

    Vitamin A 70%, Vitamin C 2%, Calcium 4%, Iron 8%
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