Question
Does my stored food still have any nutritional value?
Answer(s)
Nutrients in food are affected by exposure to heat, light, and air. There are many nutrients to consider in stored foods. Following are some effects of storage on some nutrients:
· Calories - foods continue to provide needed energy over time
· Minerals - very little change in stored foods
· Carbohydrates - very little change in stored foods
· Proteins - change in reaction in recipe; for example old wheat flour will not rise, because the proteins are unable to form gluten
· Fats - oxidation (become rancid) creates off flavors and odors
· Vitamins - some loss over time; destroyed by heat, light, and oxidation. Storing and eating a variety of foods can assure adequate vitamin intake.
Rotate stored food within 2 to 3 years to maintain optimal nutritional value.
Other Questions In This Topic
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- Can I store wheat, sugar, flour or other products purchased in 25 pound bags in a rubbermaid container? I am looking for space efficient ways to store bulk grains and legumes.
- How long can I keep stored foods?
- I am trying to use flour that has been stores for about 30 years. It looks ok and tastes like flour but I have baked two loaves and they will not raise. they taste ok but how nutritional would they be?
- Can powdered milk have a problem with mold?
- What protein content should my stored wheat have?
- I have a question regarding commercially canned tomatoes. I have read on your website that the nutritional value of vegetables may not be maintained after the expiration date. I have heard somewhere that tomatoes are an exception, and there could be a problem with the tomatoes that would not be able to be detected, and that they should just be discarded at the expiration date for safety's sake. Is this true?
- This is a food storage question. I have called Iams and Purina re cat food storage. They could not tell me how long I could store their dry food product in an oxygen free envirenment. I would like to store the food in 6 gallon buckets to which an oxygen absorber has been added. I have several members in my ward who are interested in this answer. Do you have any experience with this?