As a registered dietitian and board certified specialist in sports dietetics I am all about helping my clients optimize their health within their calorie cap, salary cap and hourly cap. With busy lives and endless items on the to do list, many feel time challenged, money pinched and lack the knowledge or desire to spend countless hours in shopping or food preparation. As a PBH Fruit and Vegetable Ambassador in Action I want to help to close the gap between recommendations and reality. As only I in 10 is eating enough produce every day – it is time to spread the words that must be heard. #haveaplant
Let’s broadcast and reinforce the message that all produce can have a place on the plate. Fresh is fine, but availability, seasonality and palatability can diversify one’s produce portfolio. This past week I had the opportunity to do a tour of farms and canneries- and follow the journey from field to sealed. So why am I a #canfan? Canned produce provides great taste, with haste and zero waste.
Here are some highlights and insights into why canned produce should be part of a #healthyshelfie
Hard hats and hairnets were on display as we spent the day touring the plant in Oroville, CA where fruit such as peaches and pears are packed alone or mixed with other fruit for fruit cocktail.
Reach for a peach!
Peaches are picked at point of ripeness and transported to the plant within a few hours. Fruit is removed from the bins, washed and then sized. Peaches are then pitted and checked for quality. Peaches and pears are then cut into various sizes and placed into different sized cans or cold full fruit bowl lines. Once in the can or fruit bowl, they are cooked and sealed to retain the nutrients, the flavor and food safety.
I was surprised to find out some facts about canned peach compared to fresh: They are-
Higher in vitamin C
Higher in folate
Higher in antioxidants
Comparable in Vitamin E
For those of you who have canned at home, or have relatives who canned foods, the plant
uses the same techniques: You start with the fruit or vegetables and then:
Wash
Peel
Core
Slice
Trim
Chop
Fill can with food, liquid, seasoning if part of the recipe
Seal
Heat
Cool
Filled, Sealed, Delivered, their yours!
These are beauties from the peach orchard that look absolutely gorgeous and taste fabulous on a summer day in California. But in Western Pennsylvania where I live, fresh peaches will not be available most of the year. So what can you do?
