9<\/p>\n Many tinned foods can offer surprising health benefitsCredit: Getty<\/p>\n As well as being quick, cheap and easy, though, tinned food can offer health advantages<\/a>.<\/p>\n Laura Stott tried eight budget canned foods\u2009.\u2009.\u2009.<\/p>\n Spam, 340g, \u00a32.98, Asda<\/a><\/p>\n IF you have unpleasant school-dinner memories of Spam \u2013 served up in slimy sarnies or fried to make fritters \u2013 you may wish never to revisit this fabled luncheon meat.<\/p>\n But despite being much mocked in the past \u2013 and now giving its name to unwanted emails \u2013 it can make many useful contributions to your diet, which could explain why sales soared by 199 per cent in the last year.<\/p>\n 9<\/p>\n Spam packs lots of protein as well as iron, zinc and vitamins B and C<\/p>\n Consisting of 89 per cent pork and two per cent ham, Spam<\/a> packs lots of protein as well as iron, zinc and vitamins B and C. <\/p>\n Oh, and it is also gluten-free.<\/p>\n The salt and fat levels are on the higher side, though, so best limit to once a week.<\/p>\n A PINT-sized powerhouse of nutrients full of fantastic health benefits \u2013 and a can will cost you less than a quid when you do the weekly shop.<\/p>\n Sardines are packed with wellness wins that can help your heart, bones, skin and immune system, and even boost brain power.<\/p>\n 9<\/p>\n Sardines can help your heart, bones, skin and immune system, and even boost brain power<\/p>\n High in protein and low in fat, the oily fish is full of calcium and vitamin D, while omega 3 oils help cognitive function and vitamin B12 aids the nervous system.<\/p>\n Experts have even suggested sardines may help to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease<\/a>.<\/p>\n So, all in all, just what the doctor ordered.<\/p>\n Baked beans, Bramwells, 410g, 41p, Aldi<\/a><\/p>\n WE all know the kids\u2019 rhyme \u201cbeans, beans, good for your heart\u201d.<\/p>\n But the cupboard staple we love to put on toast, or scoff with sausage, bacon and eggs, also scores highly for fibre. <\/p>\n 9<\/p>\n Baked beans are good for your heart and high in fibre<\/p>\n There are a host of minerals wins, too, including potassium, iron, zinc \u2013\u200aplus you get dosed up on vitamins B and C.<\/p>\n And those haricot beans smothered in tomato sauce are a super source of protein \u2013 they contain an average of 9g per can, the same as you get from two regular eggs, which is especially useful for \u00adveggies or vegans needing to boost their intake.<\/p>\n Look out for reduced-salt options, if available.<\/p>\n Custard, 385g, 53p, Asda<\/a><\/p>\n THE party favourite is not just good fun, it is also loaded with calcium, protein from eggs, and vitamin-rich.<\/p>\n Choose a tin made with real milk, and this dairy delight will not just taste delicious atop your apple crumble \u2013 your body will thank you for it.<\/p>\n 9<\/p>\n Custard is loaded with calcium, protein from eggs, and is vitamin-rich<\/p>\n Canned custard<\/a> is high in vitamin D, which is important for healthy teeth and bones as well as maintaining a robust immune system and strong muscles.<\/p>\n Full-fat options are likely to contain the most milk, for maximum health gains, but all cans will deliver some of that all-important vitamin D.<\/p>\n Tomatoes, Italian Chopped, 400g, 49p, Tesco<\/a><\/p>\n A HUMBLE tin of tomatoes, handy for all sorts of home-cooked dishes, is one of the healthiest canned foods you can buy and will quickly top up your vitamin and mineral levels.<\/p>\n These toms also taste delicious and are very economical.<\/p>\n 9<\/p>\n Tinned tomatoes are full of vitamin C, fibre and potassium<\/p>\n Whatever type you choose \u2013 plum, cherry or specialist San Marzano \u2013 tucking into them will unleash a cascade of vitamin C, fibre and potassium.<\/p>\n They also put a nice helping of lycopene your way \u2013 an antioxidant linked to numerous heart health \u00adbenefits.<\/p>\n Peach slices, 410g, \u00a31.09, Morrisons<\/a><\/p>\n MOST tinned fruits offer health benefits equal to those you get from your favourite fresh versions \u2013 but the canned options lock in goodness and offer longevity, cost savings and convenience benefits to boot.<\/p>\n When browsing on the shop shelf for tinned fruit, look for slices in either water or fresh fruit juice, rather than syrup, to make sure you get all the goodness and shelf-life without those additional sugars.<\/p>\n![\"Many](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/young-adult-woman-hand-holding-1002404893.jpg\")
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