by Tomato Wellness | Oct 5, 2021 | News
Aging causes a decrease in cognitive decline, but you may be able to stave off the effects based on what you eat. A decline in cognitive function (such as Alzheimer’s disease) may be prevented through good nutrition, so read on to learn more about how canned tomatoes play a role in brain health.
It’s no secret that with aging comes a decrease in cognitive function. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the leading causes of dementia, and comes loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other skills related to critical thinking [1]. However, did you know that it is possible to prevent cognitive decline with a healthy diet?
Without protection, the aging process can bring on free radicals and inflammation that wreak havoc and can even lead to diseases such as dementia [1]. However, certain properties within food can provide a protective effect to our cells, as antioxidant phytochemicals can remove free radicals and reduce inflammation within the body. One of these powerful antioxidants is lycopene, which is found in tomatoes. Studies have shown that low levels of lycopene within the body can leave you at a greater risk for disease, which is why eating foods rich in this antioxidant is beneficial for health. Researchers are also currently studying the specific effects that lycopene has on cognitive function, as there have been associations between lower circulating lycopene and higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease mortality [1].
While lycopene can be found in any type of tomato, it is particularly concentrated in canned tomato products. When tomatoes go through the canning process, they are heated, which increases the body’s ability to absorb lycopene.
Including canned tomatoes in your weekly recipes is a great way to promote good healthy and protect your body from signs of aging. So, what are you waiting for? Enjoy all the flavors and health benefits that canned tomatoes have to offer by trying some delicious new recipes.
Check out some delicious recipes featuring canned tomatoes:
Pan Seared Pork Chops with Bourbon Peach Compote
Easy Chicken Curry
Pizza Stuffed Chicken
The BEST BLT Dip
- Crowe-White, K. M., Phillips, T. A., & Ellis, A. C. (2019). Lycopene and cognitive function.Journal of Nutritional Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2019.16
by Tomato Wellness | Oct 4, 2021 | Media Recipe
Calling all soup lovers! A warm bowl of soup is sometimes just the trick for an easy, satisfying meal. That’s why this Santa Fe Chicken Soup is one you should try out this season. FIlled with whole grains, legumes, lean protein, and veggies, you can have a perfectly balanced meal on the table in under 30 minutes.
This recipe is a great way to utilize pantry staples like canned and dried goods, as these ingredients are shelf stable and affordable. Canned tomatoes are one of these canned goods that are easy to use while being extremely nutritious, which is why adding them to soups is a simple way to boost the nutrition content.
Thanks to the reduced sodium diced tomatoes, this recipe is lower in sodium than the typical canned kind, which makes it a heart healthy option. And, since canned tomato products are rich in lycopene, they also contribute to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diease, as research shows that tomato products play an important role in preventing platelet aggregation (i.e. reducing the amount of blood clots that can lead to cardiovascular diseases). Additionally, tomato products can improve cholesterol by improving lipid profiles, as studies have found that consumption has lead to a significant decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as body weight and fat percentage.
So, what are you waiting for? Cozy up to this delicious soup for those chilly fall and winter nights.
Get the full recipe for Santa Fe Chicken Soup by visiting our friends at Fruits and Veggies.
For other delicious soup recipes, check out some of our favorites:
California Walnut Firehouse Chili
Creamy Tomato Soup with Popcorn
Fideo Soup
by Tomato Wellness | Sep 28, 2021 | Recipes
Soup’s up! There’s nothing quite like a comforting bowl of tomato soup to warm your soul during the cooler months. That’s why this recipe for Creamy Tomato Soup with Popcorn is a fan-favorite–it’s a unique twist on a classic meal that will leave you feeling cozy. Additionally, these ingredients for this recipe are things you may already have in your pantry (such as diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, honey, and EVOO), making it a healthful, easy recipe to whip up on any weeknight. Plus, tossing a handful of popcorn on top makes for a smile-inducing experience. Serve it with a simple sandwich or a hearty salad, or even enjoy on it’s own. The sky is the limit!
Thanks to the reduced sodium diced tomatoes, this recipe is lower in sodium than the typical canned kind, which makes it a heart healthy option. And, since canned tomato products are rich in lycopene, they also contribute to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diease, as research shows that tomato products play an important role in preventing platelet aggregation (i.e. reducing the amount of blood clots that can lead to cardiovascular diseases). Additionally, tomato products can improve cholesterol by improving lipid profiles, as studies have found that consumption has lead to a significant decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as body weight and fat percentage.
So, go ahead and enjoy this nutrient-dense Creamy Tomato Soup! Your heart, soul, and taste buds will thank you.
Get the full recipe for Creamy Tomato Soup with Popcorn from Ellie Krieger, RDN.
by Tomato Wellness | Sep 26, 2021 | Media Recipe
Take a trip to Mexico without leaving your kitchen! This Spanish-inspired Fideo soup (Sopa de Fideo) is perfect to cozy up with any time of the year. Plus, this recipe only requires 30 minutes of cook time, so it is great for a quick weeknight meal!
In Spanish, fideo translates to noodles, which is fitting considering this soup is filled with them! The noodles typically used in this soup are thin and are broken up and browned before being added to the soup. For added flavor, this recipe calls for a can of chili ready tomato sauce, and a can of petite diced tomatoes with green chilies, lime, and cilantro. These flavors pair perfectly together, therefore creating a dish that everyone in your family is sure to love.
Just because this meal can be made in under 30 minutes doesn’t mean that it sacrifices nutrition! In fact, it’s just the opposite thanks to the addition of canned tomatoes. This pantry staple is a great way to keep cook time down while making a meal as nutritious as possible. Before being canned, tomatoes are cooked at peak ripeness, which captures their delicious flavor and enhances the lycopene content (which is a powerful antioxidant). Regularly consuming canned tomatoes can help reduce your risk of diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease!
Get the full recipe for Fideo soup by visiting our friends at Red Gold Tomatoes.
For other delicious soup recipes, check out some of our favorites:
Green Chile Posole Soup
Curried Leek Vegetable Soup
Classic Tomato Soup
by Tomato Wellness | Sep 20, 2021 | Food and Nutrition
We all want to keep our families as healthy as possible, now more than ever. For those of you who choose to show love to your family through cooking, keep reading! Cooking our families healthy meals can be an amazing way to keep them healthy as you will be providing a nutritious meal while getting in that much needed family time. One of my favorite ways to keep my family healthy is to use canned tomatoes in my cooking. There are many rumors online that state that canned vegetables are not as healthy as fresh and are not a good option, but I am here to set the record straight! Not only are canned tomatoes delicious, but they are a sustainable option that is great to support heart health.
My family and I are Italian American, and canned tomatoes are a huge part of our diet and culture. At least once a week we prepare a delicious tomato sauce using canned tomato products like crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. The recipe that my family makes has been passed down since my great grandparents moved to America from Italy, and I will certainly pass it down to my children as well. Using canned tomatoes not only ensures that our meals are filled with nutrients but allows us to consume fresh tasting tomatoes year-round.
Choosing canned tomatoes over fresh have many benefits. When tomatoes are canned, they are heated during the process. This heating increases the amount of lycopene that can be absorbed by the body [1]. Lycopene is an antioxidant that is great for maintaining heart health. In fact, studies show that people who have higher concentrations of lycopene within their blood have a reduced risk of stroke, mortality, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) [2]. As an antioxidant, lycopene has the ability to reduce reactive oxygen species, which is vital for fighting off chronic disease within the body [3].
In addition to being absolutely delicious, easy to incorporate in recipes, and heart healthy, canned tomatoes are a sustainable option as well. When we make the effort to recycle, it only takes 5% of the energy it would take to make a new aluminum can [4]. Choosing canned tomatoes are a great way to show love to our planet as it will reduce your carbon footprint. Choosing canned tomatoes are also a great way to reduce food waste as they have a much longer shelf life than fresh tomatoes do. Reducing food waste is another great way that we can support the health of our planet.
The next time you are at the grocery store, make sure to pick up a couple cans of tomatoes! They are such a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes. (My favorite is making a homemade marinara sauce!) The next time you’re in the kitchen, put the love in with heart healthy tomato products! Your family and the planet will thank you for choosing a heart healthy and sustainable option.
References:
- Pogored. (2020, October 29).Are fresh Vegetables healthier than frozen OR CANNED?Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-fresh-vegetables-healthier-than-frozen-or-canned/.
- Cheng, H. M., Koutsidis, G., Lodge, J. K., Ashor, A. W., Siervo, M., & Lara, J. (2017). Lycopene and tomato and risk of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological evidence.Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition,59(1), 141–158. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2017.1362630
- Das, S., Otani, H., Maulik, N., & Das, D. K. (2005). Lycopene, tomatoes, and coronary heart disease.Free Radical Research,39(4), 449–455. https://doi.org/10.1080/10715760500053685
- Bloch, / M. (2012, November 11).Canned food – environmental pros and cons. Green Living Tips. https://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/canned-food-and-the-environment.html.
Bio: Olivia Peduto is an RD2B from Staten Island, New York. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition Science from CUNY Brooklyn College. This fall, she will be starting her dietetic internship at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She is passionate about nutrition for women’s reproductive health as well as digestive health. In her free time, Olivia enjoys gardening, cooking, and roller skating with friends. Her goal is to become a Registered Dietitian and open her own private practice where she can work individually with women to improve their reproductive and overall health through their diet.
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