Shakshuka Pita Pizzas

Shakshuka Pita Pizzas

Do you love Shakshuka? Then you’re sure to fall head over heels for these Shakshuka Pita Pizzas. These personal pizzas are topped with fresh spinach, eggs, feta cheese, and–of course–the classic melty egg. With flavors like this, what’s not to love? Plus, this vegetarian dish is a complete meal thanks to the protein, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats—making it a well-balanced dinner that your whole family will love. It also includes a bounty of lycopene from the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste.

There are many delicious components to this dish, but the canned tomato products are some of the main stand-out ingredients, as they are easy-to-use and contribute to the classic Shakshuka flavors. Plus they are also great for your health! Canned tomatoes have a plethora of antioxidants that play an integral role in the reduction of certain types of diseases and cancers. They are also great if you’re looking to increase your intake of vegetables that have the potential to boost your overall health.

Get the full recipe for Shakshuka Pita Pizzas from Ellie Krieger, RDN.

 

Prevent chronic disease with antioxidants

Prevent chronic disease with antioxidants

Antioxidants are powerful protective nutrients that can be found in certain foods, such as canned tomatoes. Disease prevention and improved health are only some of the many benefits, so keep reading to learn more about how you can prevent chronic disease with antioxidants.

Over the past 30 years, there has been an increasing amount of research with the correlation between nutrition and chronic disease prevention. Some of the most prominent health problems are cardiovascular disease and stomach, colon, breast, prostate, ovary, and endometrium cancer, but studies have shown certain foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and tea) have the capability to halt the development of these diseases [1].

Even though we all know that fruits and vegetables can boost your health, how can they prevent chronic disease? The answer lays in their antioxidant content. When cardiovascular disease and cancer take form in the body, abnormal oxidative processes take place, which lead to the formation of hydroxy radicals and peroxy compounds [1]. Antioxidants are important to prevent these diseases because they can work against oxidative processes and delay the onset of disease [1]. Some produce items that are rich in antioxidants include: broccoli, spinach, carrots, potatoes, artichokes, cabbage, asparagus, avocados, beetroot, radish, lettuce, sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin, collard greens and kale.

Lycopene is another antioxidant that is found abundantly in canned tomatoes. Heating tomatoes during the cooking process increases the body’s ability to absorb lycopene, which in turn makes them even more powerful at protecting against disease. Lycopene also plays an integral role in the improvement of heart health, protection from the sun, and reduction in certain types of cancer [1].

If you want to better your health and prevent chronic disease, give canned tomato products a try. So, the next time you are in the grocery store, pick up a few cans of tomatoes and try out some new recipes! Your body will thank you for it.

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

  1. Weisburger, J. H. (1998). Evaluation of the evidence on the role of Tomato Products in disease prevention.Experimental Biology and Medicine,218(2), 140–143. https://doi.org/10.3181/00379727-218-44281 
Mexican Cauliflower Rice

Mexican Cauliflower Rice

Have you hopped on the cauliflower rice trend yet? If not, then you should give this Mexican Cauliflower Rice a try! It’s a veggie-packed option for a family-friendly side dish that may become a new favorite on your menu rotation. Thanks to the magic of cauliflower rice, this recipe is filled with fiber while still being low in carbs. Plus, it’s easy to make, since you can get it on the table in under 30 minutes!! 

Mexican Cauliflower Rice is a great side dish to accompany any weeknight dinner, as it’s packed with nutritious vegetables and tomato products to give your health a boost. Using canned tomatoes is a great way to add cancer fighting antioxidants (such as lycopene) to your meals. Lycopene is more bioavailable in canned tomatoes than in fresh, and has been shown in studies to reduce the risk of prostate cancer and heart disease. So, the next time you are shopping, be sure to pick up a couple cans of tomatoes to use in the kitchen!

Get the full recipe for Mexican “Rice” by visiting our friends at Red Gold Tomatoes.

For other delicious recipes, check out some of our favorites: 

California Walnut Salsa
The BEST BLT Dip
Tomato Pesto Hummus

Why are tomatoes the #1 canned food in America?

Why are tomatoes the #1 canned food in America?

Have you ever wondered why canned tomatoes are so popular? Not only are they delicious, but it’s also a great way to reduce your risk of cancer. From affordability to versatility, learn more about why tomatoes are the #1 canned food in America!

Did you know that tomatoes are the most frequently consumed canned vegetable, and fourth most frequently consumed fresh vegetable in the USA? [1] There are many reasons why canned tomatoes are so popular, as they are affordable, delicious, shelf stable, and extremely versatile! Additionally, they pack a powerful nutrition punch when compared to than their fresh counterparts, as studies have shown that canned tomatoes can reduce the risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

There is emerging research showing the connection between tomato consumption and reduced risk for cardiovascular diseases and prostate cancer [1]. Prostate cancer is the most newly frequently diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of cancer death in men. According to the American Cancer Society, there are nearly 250,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the U.S. each year, resulting in more than 34,000 deaths [1].  A body of evidence supporting the benefits of tomatoes for reducing the risk of prostate cancer has mounted over the past several years, and research shows the promise of tomato consumption on prostate cancer protection.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the USA, with over 70 million Americans having some form of it [1]. While more research is needed to determine the exact mechanisms in which a healthy diet delays the onset of CVD and prostate cancer, there is promising evidence supporting a diet rich in antioxidants (specifically from canned tomatoes) [1]. This could be due to the bioactive compounds found in tomatoes, as they activate the health benefits associated with these products, and result in an advantageous outcome on platelet aggregation. Recent 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). 

Making healthy meals doesn’t have to be time consuming or complicated. That’s why canned tomatoes are the #1 canned food in America, as you can use them to get dinner on the table in no time…all while boosting your health and saving money! No matter what type of cuisine you enjoy, you can incorporate canned tomatoes into almost any dish for added flavor and health.

 

1.Canene-Adams, K., Campbell, J. K., Zaripheh, S., Jeffery, E. H., & Erdman, J. W. (2005). The Tomato as a functional food. The Journal of Nutrition135(5), 1226–1230. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/135.5.1226 

Santa Fe Chicken Soup

Santa Fe Chicken Soup

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