Confusing canned veggies

[Adambennett443]

So I usually just put in the calories for one portion of the canned veggies, however, today on a whim after draining my green beans I decided to weigh them. The amount in grams was signifigantly less than the can claimed it to be. Are the calories on the can actually accurate?

[Odyssey13]

Welcome to the forums @Adambennett443

No two cans will have the identical amount of vegetables in it. Most companies will say that there is approximately a certain number of grams in the can or bag. Since you weighed it, you can then figure out how many servings you'll get and determine how many calories that portion would have.

Most companies do try to state the correct calories and ingredients for the consumer. It is close enough, so I wouldn't worry about it unless you're on a very strict diet.

Keep on stepping!

[Adambennett443]

So what I weighed was accurate in calories?

[JohnRi]

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@Adambennett443 wrote:

So what I weighed was accurate in calories?

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Yes, that would be more accurate. 

FYI Canned vegetables are the worst form of vegetables to eat.  They are usually loaded with a ton of sodium.  And lose a lot of the nutrients when they get canned and preserved with the sodium

Frozen vegetables are a lot better to eat.  But fresh vegetables are the best.

Generally speaking, anything that comes in a can is high in sodium.  Way too high actually.  I try to avoid all canned foods. 

[Odyssey13]

@Adambennett443 let me figure this out based on estimates only.

I have a can of Del Monte (no salt added @JohnRi) corn.

432 grams and it says there are 3.5 servings of 125 grams with a calorie count of 60.

This is assuming that the weight is correct.

Say, for example if I were to weigh it and find it only contained 400 grams. Less weight would mean I couldn't get the same number of servings, which would mean fewer calories.

400 grams would then have 3.2 servings in that can.

125 grams is listed as being 60 calories.

All we can ever do when being precise with our calories is to trust what the company has listed on their can or bag. You'd have to get with the individual manufacturer to ask them how they determine their listed calories.

It's great that you're counting calories, but don't let it cause you any stressful moments. Just do the best you can and enjoy your meals.

@JohnRi you are so right. I prefer fresh, frozen and then canned. I've learned to rinse everything canned to reduce the sodium. Frozen has no sodium, which works great for me.

[Incognito]

Canned veggies are cooked to the point that they do lose a lot of their nutrients.  But canned is better than nothing.  

As everyone has said, frozen is preferred if you cannot get fresh.  I always have a stash of peas and carrots and also sweet corn in the freezer.  Most other veggies that come frozen, I can deal with in their fresh state.  A serving of frozen peas and carrots with a dab of butter and a punch of kosher salt, steamed quickly in the microwave makes a quick snack.