If you’ve ever tried eating frozen spinach, you might have realized that its taste doesn’t really meet expectations.
It’s bland, and it doesn’t hold up well when heated.
If you’re looking for something with more flavor, try canned spinach.
Canned spinach is packed full of vitamins and nutrients that make it an excellent addition to your diet.
Here’s everything you need to know about canned spinach, including whether or not it’s healthy, how to store it properly, and what you can do with it once you’ve got it on hand.
What are the health benefits of canned spinach?
Canned spinach contains a large amount of iron, which is one of the most important minerals for building strong blood cells.
Iron is also essential for proper functioning of our bodies, and it helps us produce energy through metabolism.
Canned spinach also provides vitamin A, B6, folate, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, and zinc, among other things.
All of these elements play a vital role in our body’s overall function and development, making canned spinach a great nutritional choice.
Are there any drawbacks to eating canned spinach?
There aren’t many downsides to canned spinach, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
First off, since canned spinach is packed in water, it tends to lose its nutritional value over time.
This means that after six months or so, your canned spinach will no longer contain the same level of vitamins and minerals that it did at first.
To counteract this, make sure you rinse canned spinach thoroughly before using it to remove as much excess moisture as possible.
Second, canned spinach can sometimes turn green from exposure to light.
While this isn’t harmful, it does mean that canned spinach loses some of its color and texture.
The best way to avoid this is to store your cans in a dark place where they won’t get exposed to sunlight.
How does canned spinach compare to fresh spinach in terms of nutrition?
Fresh spinach has a lot going for it, especially compared to canned spinach.
Fresh spinach is packed with vitamins and nutrients, but it also has a higher fiber content than canned spinach.
Fiber is important because it helps lower cholesterol levels and keeps you feeling fuller for longer.
Plus, fresh spinach is a source of magnesium, which is necessary for the proper function of nerve and muscle tissue.
Fresh spinach also contains loads of antioxidants, including anthocyanins, which help fight disease by neutralizing free radicals.
On the downside, fresh spinach has a relatively low nutrient density.
It consists mainly of water, which makes it hard to absorb the nutrients we’re trying to ingest.
In order to combat this, you should eat fresh spinach raw, steamed, sautéed, or lightly cooked.
Raw spinach is actually good for you, as it retains more of its nutrients.
However, raw spinach is more difficult to digest, so don’t expect it to give you a ton of energy.
How does canned spinach compare to frozen spinach in terms of nutrition?
Frozen spinach is another option worth considering.
Frozen spinach is usually packed with fewer calories than canned spinach, but it still provides plenty of other essential nutrients.
Like fresh spinach, frozen spinach is high in fiber and magnesium, and it is also rich in antioxidants.
Since frozen spinach is already partially cooked, it is far easier to digest than fresh spinach.
However, frozen spinach is still lacking in certain areas.
Most frozen varieties are packed with sodium, and while frozen spinach has a lower sodium content than canned spinach, it still contains significantly more sodium than fresh spinach.
What are some easy ways to include canned spinach in your diet?
You can easily add canned spinach to a variety of dishes, such as salads, soups, casseroles, and pasta sauce.
One of the easiest ways to incorporate canned spinach into your meals is to simply toss it into your favorite dish and let it cook for a few minutes.
That way, you’ll get a nice dose of nutrients without having to worry about overcooking the spinach.
Are there any recipes that feature canned spinach as a main ingredient?
Yes, there are tons of great recipes that call for canned spinach.
Some common uses for canned spinach include adding it to lasagna, stuffing, and even soup.
If you’re craving a creamy spinach dip, look no further than Spinach Artichoke Dip with Parmesan Crisps.
You can also find recipes for homemade pizza, chicken salad, and even a recipe for chocolate chip cookies made entirely out of spinach.
What are some creative ways to use canned spinach?
When it comes to using canned spinach, creativity is key.
There are literally dozens of fun ways to use canned spinach, whether that involves adding it to savory dishes or baking it into sweet treats.
Try putting it in ice cream, sprinkling it on top of pancakes, or mixing it with mayo to create a delicious tuna salad sandwich.
Don’t forget to check out these 15 amazing recipes featuring canned spinach.
What are some tips for storing canned spinach?
Storing canned spinach correctly is crucial.
After opening a can of spinach, you should immediately transfer it to the refrigerator.
Once the spinach is cold, you can continue to refrigerate it until you’re ready to use it.
Storing the spinach in the fridge will prevent it from spoiling, but it will also cause it to lose some of its nutritional value.
You’ll need to replace the lost nutrients by supplementing your diet with other foods.
To retain its antioxidant properties, you should always rinse canned spinach thoroughly before using it.
Rinse each can under running water until the water runs clear.
Then, drain the spinach and dry it completely using paper towels.
Finally, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator.
Make sure to label the package to ensure you remember exactly what was inside.
How can you tell if canned spinach has gone bad?
It’s really simple — if the can looks flat and dull, then it probably has gone bad.
The reason for this is that the product begins to ferment once it reaches room temperature.
Fermentation causes the can to expand and its contents to become slimy.
When a can starts to go bad, it’s best to throw it out and start over.
While it’s pretty easy to spot a bad can of spinach, it’s not nearly as easy to spot a bad bag of frozen spinach.
Even though frozen spinach tends to lose some of its nutritional value, it still remains fairly nutritious.
As long as you follow the guidelines listed above, you shouldn’t have any problems with frozen spinach.
Make Spinach Artichoke Dip in Slow Cooker
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 10 oz spinach
- 14 oz artichoke hearts
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- 10 oz spinach thawed and drained
- 14 oz artichoke hearts drained and chopped
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon oregano
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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