Canned foodsare seriously underrated.

(Fiber’s the part producing themalodorous side effect.)

What’s more, beans are an inexpensive, tasty source of plant-based protein.

Canned foods in pantry

The problem with cooking beans comes when you use the dried kind.

Sure, they’re cheaper than canned, but they’re also a real pain.

Do you really want to go through all this effort to save maybe 50 cents?

Goya brand canned beans

Plus, you’ll get an added bonus in the form of the liquid, which isgreat for baking!

How can this be?

Canned tomatoes go almost directly from vine to can and the canning process locks in all of their goodness.

Open can of tomatoes

If the canned tomatoes you purchase were made in the U.S.A., their packaging material is BPA-free by law.

It’s often relatively cheap, and it makes for a nutritious meal in a hurry.

If you’re not afraid of mayo, you might always maketuna salad.

Libby’s brand canned pumpkin

If you prefer to keep the calories down, serve your tuna sans mayo atop a bed of lettuce.

Tuna can even go super-sophisticated as part of aNicoise salad.

Canned tuna in oil

Cans of Campbell’s soup