See Dr. Winter Live
HealthSource® airs on WFAA-TV Channel 8 every weekday at noon and 5 p.m., and throughout Texas on Texas Cable News Network. You can see Dr. Winter live on WFAA-TV Channel 8 on Mondays and Wednesdays at noon.
If you have any questions about the show or would like further information, please call 1-800-4BAYLOR or email us.
Your TV HealthSource®
Canned Fruits and Veggies Healthy
Week of February 11 - Where do you get most of your fruits and veggies—from the produce section or the canned foods aisle? Researchers say contrary to what we’ve been told—it often doesn’t matter. Dr. David Winter tells us more in tonight’s HealthSource report.
DR. WINTER
The fresher the better right? Not always when it comes to some canned fruits and veggies.
PAIGE VOGL
Dietitian
Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth
“The nutritional content may be just as good as fresh because those things are picked at the peak of ripeness and canned immediately so there’s more nutrient preservation.”
DR. WINTER
New research in fact finds that by the time we get around to eating fresh produce—it may have already lost some of its nutrients. For instance fresh green beans and spinach lose 75% of their vitamin C content after being stored in the refrigerator for a week. And there are some vegetables that are always better canned.
PAIGE VOGL
“For some things like tomatoes, canned tomatoes or canned tomato paste may actually have more lycopene—which is a phytochemical as compared to the fresh tomatoes.”
DR. WINTER
Canned carrots and corn are also often more nutritious than their fresh counterparts. But experts do add there are things you want to watch out for—like salt content.
PAIGE VOGL
“Buy ‘no added salt’ canned vegetables… would obviously have a lower salt content or if you buy canned vegetables with salt you could always rinse that salt to remove approximately 40% of the sodium.”
DR. WINTER
And when it comes to fruit—buying those packed in their own juices, water or light syrup means you’re getting less added sugar. What it all boils down to say experts—if buying canned produce means you’ll buy more produce—it’s a good option.
PAIGE VOGL
“They’re just more convenient in general... we don’t have to worry about storage, they last for a very long time.”
DR. WINTER
For Baylor Health Care System, I’m Dr. David Winter.
ANCHOR TAG
Researchers noted that fresh vegetables are superior to canned if used within a few days after picking.