Is fresh ALWAYS BEST?

We reveal the secrets of a healthy store cupboard, and how canned goods are making a comeback

Take your mind back to March 2020. Was your kitchen counter buried underneath stacked pyramids of chopped tomatoes, kidney beans and packets of penne? Us too! Lockdown stockpiling may have sent sales of store cupboard essentials soaring, but there’s another reason why canned goods, along with frozen and packet food, have come back into fashion.

While we may be told frequently that fresh is best, foods we typically find in our store cupboards can be good for us, too. ‘Some canned, frozen and packet foods are full of nutrients to feed the body and count towards your five-a-day,’ says dietitian Lola Biggs from Together Health*. ‘Food is most nutritious at the point of harvest, so fresh food needs to be eaten quickly,’ says Lola. This is where frozen and canned goods come into their own, as their nutrients are preserved. Plus, it reduces reliance on ready meals and helps us get into the habit of cooking from scratch.

It’s no wonder Waitrose & Partners has reported a rise in canned fish – sales of mackerel and anchovies rose by 17% last summer – while chickpeas have been crowned the ultimate winning flavour, ingredient and all round top addition to dishes in 2022, by Tastecard** consumers and chefs. So if your cupboards are looking sparse, here’s what you should stock up on…

Buckwheat