Canned or Not?

The Hidden Truth About Canned Foods and Bottled Health Drinks

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They sit quietly on supermarket and grocery store shelves, in our kitchens and office pantries.

We casually place them in our grocery carts with barely a thought besides considering flavour, brand and price – these are the likes of canned tuna, chickpeas, tomatoes and soups, and bottled green juices, yogurt drinks, kombucha, and vitamin-infused waters. Indeed, few food items are as ubiquitous or as casually consumed as canned foods and bottled health drinks. For many households, they are regular staples, relied on for quick-fix meals, protein on the go, or a boost of nutrients without a trip to the stove. Yet for all their presence in our diets, we often pay more attention to their convenience and taste than their composition. Though we know the selling points well, and the packaging has evolved to signal wellness and nutrition, how much do we really know about what is inside these cans and bottles?

Nutritionally, these foods occupy a curious middle ground. They are neither fast food nor completely unprocessed. They offer shelf stability and convenience when perishable foods are not within reach. They give the promise of nourishment without labour. But the key questions remain: How much nutrition survives canning? Do bottled juices and wellness drinks genuinely contribute to health, or are they simply sweet beverages cloaked in health language? Are these convenient staples quiet nutritional heroes or cleverly packaged compromises?

As consumers increasingly chase healthier lifestyles, it is worth taking a closer look at these everyday food products. Understanding their true nutritional value is essential to making informed choices for eating healthily and conveniently. So, how healthy are they, really? The answer depends on what is inside, how it is processed, and what we compare it to.

THE HISTORY OF CANNED FOODS