(Updated with the latest information 1/31/2022; Originally posted 1/1/2020
February is National Canned Food Month, a great opportunity to update your ‘cantry’ with some seafood staples. Did you know that canned fish like canned tuna is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get seafood in your kids’ lunch boxes and on the dinner table?
According to the Wall Street Journal, canned fish (or tinned fish) is becoming a staple in terms of food delivery. Tinned fish has become a Covid kitchen craze rivaling sourdough, beans and meal kits because it’s a ready-to-eat convenience and a shelf-stable pantry item!
Nutrition guidelines recommend eating seafood at least twice a week. Canned, tinned, and pouched seafood is a perfect way to get at least one of these servings into a quick and easy meal or snack. They are prepared, high-quality proteins that are easy to add to your weekly menu and are budget-friendly options. Keep an eye out for sales and stock up on this shelf-stable pantry protein.
Here are some fun, easy ideas to include more canned items into your family’s meals:
- Simple Add Ons: Add a pouch of tuna to your salad at lunch. Add tuna or salmon to tacos, sandwich wraps, or stir some tuna, salmon, or crabmeat into your favorite dip for a tasty treat. This works for kids, too! Add mild-tasting fish to their favorite dish – for example, mix tuna into macaroni and cheese or into their sloppy joe mix.
- Creative Substitutions: Seafood is an excellent replacement for beef, chicken, or pork. Add clams to pasta sauce and try salmon or tuna in your stuffed pepper recipe.
Canned seafood such as canned tuna, salmon, sardines, anchovies, mackerel, herring, crab, and clams are excellent sources of omega-3s. However, seafood is not just filled with omega-3s. Seafood includes other vital nutrients optimal for overall health and wellness, such as selenium, iron, vitamin B-6 and B-12, and protein.
Check out some of our favorite canned seafood recipes:
Click here to view more canned seafood recipes or check out our Pinterest board.
While canned seafood is our go-tos, it’s important to note that a well-stocked pantry of canned fruits and vegetables is also key when it comes to healthy eating. Fresh fruits and vegetables are harvested at the peak of ripeness and nutrition. You can incorporate both canned vegetables and seafood in many delicious easy recipes. Get cooking today!
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