When it comes to healthy, convenient, and nutritious, packaged foods can deliver all of these results. But it can be hard for us to see their true value when headlines vilify packaged foods. Well this is our headline, “don’t automatically judge a food by its package”. Packaged foods can be part of a healthful diet by contributing important nutrients that we need for a healthy diet.  Through packaging and processing, some foods even have enhanced nutritional value! (Hint: tomato, tomahto . . . but check out the video below for the full scoop!) Not convinced on the nutritional benefits some packaged foods can provide?

Check out some of our favorite packaged foods including yogurt; frozen and canned fruits, vegetables; meat products; pasta; and fortified foods such as cereal, milk (dairy and soy), and orange juice . The American Society for Nutrition’s statement in “Processed Foods: Contribution to Nutrition” showed that processed foods play an important role in meeting nutrient needs. In fact, if it weren’t for enrichment and fortification of foods, “large percentages of the population would have had inadequate intakes of vitamins A, C, D, E, thiamin, folate, calcium, magnesium, and iron.” Of course, not all packaged foods are created equal. However, it’s important to remember that sometimes foods in a can, box, or bag really can be the full [nutrition] package!

Don’t forget to check out the other parts to the series!
Part 1: Nutrition Enhancements
Part 2: Time Saving
Part 3: Perishability and Convenience