Baked beans are easily accessible and make a great choice of food. They are rich in iron, zinc, vitamin B, protein, and fiber while being low in fat and calories.
Additionally, they help reduce heart health risks and balance blood sugar levels.
However, you should be cautious when choosing baked beans, as they may contain hidden ingredients that may be disastrous for your health.
Always inspect the back label of any canned product for important information about ingredients, quality, and expiration date.
Here are five things you should know before opening that can of baked beans:
1. Added preservatives
One must always check the back label for added preservatives. Canned baked beans may contain bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical linked to health issues. BPA causes hormonal problems and increases the risk of cancer. To avoid any such illness, you should look for cans labeled BPA-free and choose brands that mention BPA-free packaging to reduce the risk of any chronic disease.
2. Check ingredients
Before buying or opening any canned item, one must check for ingredients on the back label. Baked beans are filled with sodium, and excessive salt intake may increase the risk of high blood pressure and many other health problems. Many canned beans contain more than 20% of the normal
sodium intake recommendation. You should also check for added sugar in canned beans; they can be high in added sugar, which may spike your blood sugar level and cause other health-related problems.
3. Check nutritional content
Baked beans are a great source of protein, fibre, nutrients, iron, potassium, vitamins, and minerals. If the canned beans contain sugar and preservatives, they may not be nutritional and healthy but rather make you fall sick and cause health diseases. One must always check the back label for nutritional content in the canned items.
4. Check expiry date
One of the most important things to remember is to check the expiry date before picking up any product; checking the manufacturing date and expiry date is crucial. However, canned foods generally have a longer shelf life, but if the product is past its expiration date, taste, texture, and nutritional value, one must avoid buying or eating it. They may cause health problems in the future or cause reactions.
5. Check for bloating or gas
Beans are packed with fibre, protein, carbohydrates, iron, zinc, vitamins, and minerals. However, as healthy as baked beans may sound, they can cause gas or bloating. People who are sensitive to beans should consider avoiding them, as they may experience a severe reaction. Reducing bean consumption can help lower the chances of bloating and gas.
