I'm a Dietitian & These Are My Favorite Budget-Friendly Recipes Using Canned Tomatoes (2024)

FAQs

Why are canned tomatoes bad for you? ›

Many cans, especially those used for acidic foods like tomatoes, are manufactured with Bisphenol A (BPA). Some studies have linked BPA to infertility, heart disease and diabetes.

If you're concerned about BPA in your food, many companies label their products as “BPA-free,” and even though they may not all be labeled, virtually all canned tomatoes have removed BPA from their linings.

Whole tomatoes are generally sold peeled, in either juice or puree. This is usually the highest quality tomato product. If your recipe calls for crushed, simply break the tomatoes up with your hands or fist as they go into the pot. Add the juices to the recipe when you need more bulk and tomato flavor.

If the can in question contains a higher-acid food such as tomatoes, fruits, pickles, sauerkraut, or a food in a vinegar-based sauce, the USDA recommends discarding these items after 18 months from date of purchase.

Choose cans with the fewest ingredients: We prefer tomatoes packed with salt, but avoid sugar, garlic, or any preservatives other than calcium chloride and citric acid.

You can create a healthy, budget-friendly meal by focusing on staples like beans, rice, and vegetables. Try dishes like bean and vegetable stir-fry or lentil soup. Buying in bulk, opting for frozen or canned veggies, and planning meals in advance can also help stretch your budget.

Are canned tomatoes healthy? Yes, canned tomatoes have the same nutrients as fresh tomatoes but, you may want to watch for added salt or sodium and added sugar as you read the nutritional label on commercially canned tomatoes.

What are the safest canned foods? ›

But contrary to common misconceptions, processed foods are more than just ready meals and takeaways. Contrary to common misconceptions, processed foods are more than just ready-meals and takeaways. You might be surprised to learn that tinned tomatoes, frozen vegetables and wholemeal pasta are also processed foods.

You want to give your tomatoes contact with a direct heat source. That means cooking them at the bottom of whatever saucepan or Dutch oven you're using. The goal here is to remove water from the tomato solids and allow them to caramelize somewhat, which will concentrate their flavor.

You can turn whole tomatoes into whatever you need, tearing or crushing them with your hand (or cutting them in the can with kitchen shears), pureeing with a blender or food processor or chopping with a knife. Don't want seeds? Run the tomatoes through a food mill.

Although canned tomatoes are most often used as an ingredient (pasta sauce, chili, soups, etc.) where you will actually cook them, they are also great right out the can... ready-to-eat! Throw them in a blender to make homemade salsa or drain them and use on salads, tacos and bruschetta!.

Some people feel that eating foods from the nightshade family, also known as solanaceous vegetables, may make their arthritis worse. But research has shown that there is no link between inflammation and solanaceous vegetables. Examples of nightshade vegetables include: Tomatoes.

Canned tomato products

Most canned tomato sauces, pasta sauces, and tomato juices are high in sodium. This means they can raise your blood pressure, especially if you already have high blood pressure. One serving (135 grams) of marinara sauce contains 566 mg of sodium. One cup of tomato juice contains 615 mg .

Canning is a process that has been used for hundreds of years for preserving a wide variety of foods. Existing canning protocol for tomatoes causes nutritional losses to the fruits, and decreases the antioxidant content.