Since the beginning of the 19th century, canned foods like oysters, meats, fruits, and vegetables have been an important part of American cooking.
Almost everything these days comes in a can, which shouldn’t be a surprise since canned foods have changed the way people shop, cook, and eat. But just because something can go in a can doesn’t mean you should. Tons of chemicals that you can’t spell, pronounce, or even begin to understand are often packed into canned foods.
Here are just a few of the unhealthiest canned goods you can purchase at your local grocery store.
As a busy mom trying to put nutritious meals on the table during hectic weeknights, I’ve relied on Dinty Moore beef stew as a quick dinner shortcut. Pouring the savory gravy over meat, potatoes and carrots seems like a decently healthy option. But recently I decided to take a closer look at the nutrition facts of this canned staple. Is Dinty Moore beef stew really good for my family? Let’s dig into the details.
Taking a Closer Look at the Ingredients
At first glance, Dinty Moore beef stew appears to contain simple, recognizable ingredients beef, potatoes, carrots, peas, corn. However, the fine print on the label tells another story The stew contains nearly 40 ingredients including preservatives, artificial flavors, and significant amounts of sodium
The long shelf life should have been my first clue that this stew relies heavily on processed ingredients. All those unpronounceable additives raise an eyebrow for me from a health perspective. While occasional canned soup won’t harm you, I don’t want my family eating this stuff multiple times a week.
Let’s Talk About That Sky-High Sodium Content
By far the biggest nutrition concern with Dinty Moore beef stew is the extraordinarily high sodium content. One cup contains a whopping 960mg of sodium. To put that into context, the American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium to 1,500mg per day.
This single can provides nearly 2/3 of the recommended daily value. As a mother with a family history of hypertension, I’m alarmed by how much sodium is packed into each innocent-looking can.
What About the Fat and Cholesterol?
In addition to the salt overload Dinty Moore beef stew is high in saturated fat and cholesterol. One cup packs 15g of total fat including 7g of artery-clogging saturated fat. For a meal I’ve been casually feeding my family, that fat tally is cause for concern.
15g of fat is a significant chunk of the recommended daily value. The American Heart Association advises keeping saturated fat below 5-6% of total calories. With nearly a day’s worth of salt and fat per serving, Dinty Moore seems far from a healthy choice.
Let’s Talk About the Food Additives
Beyond just salt, fat and cholesterol, my biggest unease with Dinty Moore beef stew is the long list of preservatives and chemicals added during processing. Two concerning ingredients are disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate – flavor enhancers associated with negative health impacts.
Artificial flavors and colors like caramel color have also been linked to health risks. While an occasional serving might be harmless, I worry about the effects of consuming all these additives regularly.
The Verdict? Not So Healthy After All
My detailed nutritional analysis has definitely made me rethink keeping Dinty Moore beef stew in my kitchen rotation. While the stew provides some protein, vitamins and minerals, the incredibly high sodium and saturated fat outweigh any potential benefits. And the numerous preservatives are reason for caution from a long-term health perspective.
Going forward I will look for lower-sodium stews or better yet, make my own beef stew so I can control exactly what goes into it. While Dinty Moore’s stew is convenient, it’s a good reminder for me to read labels and not assume all canned food is healthy!
Healthier Canned Stew Alternatives
If you still want the convenience of canned stew, here are some better-for-you alternatives with lower sodium and fewer concerning additives:
- Amy’s Organic Low Sodium Beef Stew
- Health Valley Organic Beef Stew
- Pacific Foods Organic Beef Stew
- Trader Joe’s Beef Stew
Choose stews with recognizable ingredients, at least 3g fiber per serving, and ideally under 600mg sodium per cup. Homemade beef stew is always the healthiest choice, but these options beat Dinty Moore if you’re in a pinch!
Helpful Tips for Reducing Sodium in Canned Foods
When using canned items high in sodium, here are some ways to reduce the salt content:
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Rinse canned beans, corn, etc. before use to remove some surface salt.
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Drain and rinse canned tuna or salmon packed in water rather than oil, which is higher in sodium.
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Limit use of canned soup, or cut it 50/50 with low sodium chicken or vegetable broth.
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Add lots of fresh veggies to canned chili or stew to dilute the sodium.
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Skip salt when seasoning dishes containing salty canned ingredients like olives, pickles or capers.
Making mindful choices about your family’s diet is so important. While Dinty Moore beef stew seems like an innocent comfort food, its shockingly high amounts of sodium, saturated fat and preservatives are red flags I can no longer ignore. Going forward I will find healthier stew options for those busy weeknights!
Frequently Asked Questions about Dinty Moore Beef Stew
Is it okay to eat Dinty Moore beef stew once in awhile?
Occasional consumption in small portions should be fine, but regular intake is not recommended due to the high sodium content. Those with certain health conditions like hypertension should avoid it completely.
Are there any health benefits to canned stews like Dinty Moore?
It does provide some protein, vitamins and minerals, but the negatives outweigh those minimal benefits. Homemade stews are far healthier with lower sodium and less processed ingredients.
What’s the healthiest way to prepare and eat Dinty Moore beef stew?
Rinsing the stew before heating can reduce some excess surface sodium. Also avoid adding table salt before eating. Pair it with fresh low-sodium sides to help balance the saltiness.
Does rinsing canned goods like Dinty Moore remove all the sodium?
Rinsing can help wash away some surface salt but it doesn’t reduce the sodium absorbed into the food during canning. It’s better to avoid highly processed excessively salty foods when possible.
Is the saturated fat in Dinty Moore stew okay in moderation?
The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat as much as possible for heart health, so any high-fat food like Dinty Moore should only be occasional.
The Bottom Line
While it may seem like an easy dinner solution on busy nights, Dinty Moore beef stew is far from a healthy meal choice due to its extremely high sodium content paired with high saturated fat and numerous preservatives. Nutrient-dense whole foods should make up the bulk of our family’s diet. Products like Dinty Moore beef stew should be the exception rather than the norm when it comes to mealtime.
Armour Corned Beef Hash
And here we have it, our fist heavy hitter of the bunch. Armour’s Corned Beef Hash has to be one of the unhealthiest canned goods you can buy at the grocery store. Per 1 cup serving, there are 444 calories, 840 mg of sodium, and 30 grams of saturated fat, 14 of which are saturated fats.
Since it has chopped ham, Virginia baked ham taste, chopped beef, dried beef, and treet lite in it, it’s not a surprise that each can is a greasy, salty mess.
The worst thing about this is that Armour’s offering isn’t even the worst offender on the list.
Hunt’s Manwich Bold Sloppy Joe Sauce
Let’s be real here… no one is just eating sloppy joe sauce on its own and no one is using the recommended 1/4 cup serving size when they mix Hunt’s Manwich Bold Sloppy Joe Sauce in with their ground beef (that also contains a lot of fat). Each serving of the Bold sloppy joe sauce contains70 calories, which isn’t all that bad, but it also contains 490 mg of sodium and 13 grams of sugar (pretty much just high fructose corn syrup.
Sloppy Joes are great, and I’m one of them, but we should all know what we’re getting ourselves into. We will still eat our salty, sweet, and savory sloppy joes, though, because that’s who we are.