Canned foods are an important part of the diets of many anglers, hunters, and outdoorsmen and women. Not all these canned treats are healthy or smart choices. Many contain fats, salt, and chemicals that have been linked to cancer or just taste bad.
My brother loves his Vienna Sausages. These cheapo links can be less than a dollar a small can. He feasts on them right out of the can. They come in a fatty broth that has chunks of fat and who knows what. When you look at the ingredients, the list is small and unrecognizable.
Spam is also a popular canned meat that may be better left at the store. It only has 6 ingredients, pork, salt, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrate. Spam has been around since the1930’s and is popular for military rations, and Hawaiians. I like Spam. It is great fried with eggs and for a sandwich but…Spam can last in the can a long time. Eating scrapple is healthier than Spam and it has everything but the squeal.
One of my favorite canned dinners is Dinty Moore Beef Stew. This canned meal rates well as a healthy canned alternative. Canned pasta tends to be a good choice also. Soups are a healthy choice, just look at the salt levels.
What is bad about the worst canned choices are the same. They tend to be high in salt, are preserved with sodium nitrate, as most hot dogs are, and have too many fats. Fish and seafood tend to balance the bad with good omega 3 vitamins, and high proteins. The cooked bones in anchovies, tuna and salmon also add calcium, a good thing, to the meal.
Here are the healthiest Can choices for canned meats.
- Tuna
- Chicken
- Roast Beef
- Sardines/Anchovies
- Salmon
The good things about canned foods are protein, oils, calcium, and vitamins. When mixed with other things, they can become more palatable and tastier. They are also convenient and quick to eat. No cooking is needed. I can’t tell you how many times I found an old meat can in some remote spot, when hunting.
Bad canned meat, fish, pasta, or other choices will increase your going to the can, Pic a quality brand. It may cost a little more, but it will be worth it.
Montana Grant
