Meat is an integral part of every person's diet, as it provides us with essential proteins, amino acids and many other useful substances. It helps maintain muscles, speeds up metabolism and gives a feeling of satiety for a long time. However, what to do if we do not have the time or opportunity to cook fresh dishes? Can canned meat be a worthy alternative? At first glance, yes, because they contain almost all the useful components that are in fresh meat. But what do nutritionists say about this? Let's find out!
Many people associate canned meat with “solid chemistry,” but is this really true?
What is stew
Tushenka is an amazing meat dish that can be stored for a long timeand at the same time not spend much time on preparation. It is made from stewed meat with the addition of salt, spices and sometimes a small amount of fat. Such types of meat as beef, pork, chicken and lamb are usually used for production of stewed meat. At the same time, most of the useful substances in meat are preserved, and it remains almost as nutritious as real meat.
Quality stewed meat has a minimum of unnecessary additives. Image source: tourister.ru
The process of producing stewed meat includes several stages. At the first stage, the meat is cut into large pieces, removing excess fat and bones. Then it is stewed or boiled until done with the addition of salt and spices. After this, the meat is laid out in sterilized jars, filled with meat juice and hermetically sealed. To be completely sure of the absence of microbes, the jars are additionally sterilized under high pressure. This allows the product to remain fresh and suitable for use even without the need to store in the refrigerator.
Can you replace meat with stewed meat
Canned meat is certainly a practical choice for those who do not have time to cook fresh meat. It has all the necessary nutrients, including proteins, amino acids, iron and other microelements, which makes it a worthy alternative to fresh meat. According to RBC, it is especially good if the product meets GOST standards. Such canned meat does not contain harmful additives and preservatives, and long-term heat treatment ensures its sterility, which allows it to be stored for years.
Thanks to long heat treatment and sterile storage, stew has a long shelf life. Image source: gastronom.ru
There are many people in the world who refuse meat for various reasons. For example, vegans completely exclude animal products from their diet. However, meat is a source of many vital substances that are difficult to obtain solely from plant sources. Yes, there are plant-based protein substitutes, but some amino acids and vitamins, such as B12, are much more difficult to obtain from them. Therefore, although stewed meat cannot completely replace fresh meat, it may still be preferable to a complete absence of meat products in the diet.
To be healthy, vegans have to look for plant sources of protein. Image source: produkt.by
However, it is worth considering that stewed meat is a finished product that already contains a certain amount of fat, salt and spices. For people who monitor their diet, this can be an important factor in daily consumption. In addition, long-term consumption of canned meat in large quantities is not recommended, since the balance of nutrients in the diet should be varied. Ideally, stewed meat is best combined with other types of protein and fresh products.
Read also: What products can replace meat
How to choose canned meat
To choose high-quality stewed meat, you need to take into account several key factors, which were discussed by Roskontrol specialists.
First, you should carefully study the labeling. Real stewed meat, made according to GOST, should have a clear name, for example, “stewed beef” or “stewed pork”. If the can only says “GOST”, “Pokhodnaya” or simply “Stewed meat”, then there is a chance that the product was made according to technical specifications (TU), and its quality may be lower. This is especially important for those who value the naturalness and safety of canned food.
Also, you shouldn't buy too cheap stew – as a rule, it is of poor quality. Image source: roscontrol.com
The second important point is packaging. The metal can must be without dents, bulges and traces of rust. Any defects may indicate a breach of tightness, which makes the product unsafe for consumption. Glass containers are convenient for visual inspection of the contents, but for storage and transportation, it is better to choose metal cans – they are more reliable and practical.
It is also recommended to choose stewed meat produced in regions where livestock farming is traditionally developed, such as the Orenburg region, Buryatia or Altai. This increases the chances that the canned food will be made from high-quality meat.
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So, stewed meat can be an excellent alternative to fresh meat, especially if you choose a high-quality product. However, not all products are so healthy, and some of them are better not to buy even on sale. Which products should you avoid, even if the price looks very tempting? You will find out the answer to this question by reading this material.