Exceedingly Mundane

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Aug
02
Posted by Stace

Foil Pack vs Can

I have blogged in the past, briefly, how years ago I thought the idea of bagged lettuce was a silly fad that would pass. After all, I’d seen lettuce for sale in the grocery store all my life, and for a lot cheaper, and more of it, than the price that they wanted for bagged lettuce. Then, as I realized that I was willing to pay more for the convenience of it, I started to think it a lot less silly idea. Now, I often buy bagged lettuce, although I still do buy the heads of lettuce (romaine or spinach, I try to stay away from iceberg since it has no nutritional value) and wash them for us to have. But, if I’m pressed for time or feeling particularly lazy, I go for the bagged stuff.

Same explanation applies to the concept of tuna, chicken, and salmon in those round aluminum tin cans vs the ones that are sold now in foil packs. I resisted even buying them for the longest time. After all, tuna is tuna right, and the foil packs cost a lot more. You’re paying for the convenience of not draining them, or whatever, right? Well, I finally caved a couple of years ago, and now I almost always buy the foil pack. Yes, I pay more, I know. But, I honestly think some of it tastes a lot better coming out of the foil pack than that old rusty tin can :mrgreen:, especially the tuna. I really like the new flavored tuna fillets that Starkist sells in the foil packs. I’ve tried the lemon pepper one and teriyaki ones and I like both of those a lot.

I’d love to hear if you still buy the cans exclusively, you now get foil packs exclusively, some of both, or you could basically care less – so be sure to leave me a comment. No, never mind, don’t comment if you could care less 🙄

Here’s a sample of what’s in my pantry today:
Foil Packs - Chicken, Tuna and Salmon

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  1. Bev Said,

    I’ve tried the Tuna Filets. I don’t remember which ones we bought though. I’m guessing I wasn’t that impressed. 😉 With a teenage boy in the house, I do buy the cans though. My splurging consists of buying Albacore instead of regular tuna and I do sometimes get the chicken in a can although I don’t recall the brand right now. When we want chicken for salads or sandwiches I usually just grill or steam some boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Then it gets cut up and put into blender or food processor to chop up. Oh and I do get baby spinach in the bags along with romaine, too. I can defend the expense of those rather than buying them in bunches. 🙂

  2. Gail Said,

    I DON’T buy bagged lettuce! Don’t like it at ALL……the exception is the same as Bev put above, I buy washed baby spinach in a bag, because spinach is supposed to be good for you right! I buy cans and foil packs of tuna, salmon etc. Don still likes cans for his sandwiches, but it might be because he hasn’t discovered my packets yet 🙂
    And those foil packs still have to be drained somewhat if you like it that way…..some of the ones I’ve had have been watery, the chunk stuff that is. The tuna fillets have been ok.

  3. Dawn P Said,

    I have a husband who is going to cross compare the cost so it’s whatever the better value.

    As far as tuna, salmon, etc. I don’t like them so if hubby wants them he can do whatever he wishes. I perfer not to be in the house because for me I do not like the smell of tuna. I know I’m probably weird, but I never have. Chicken – I like to boil my chicken and cut it up for salads and things.

  4. Southern Girl Said,

    Still tin cans here and definitely no bagged lettuce, unless you count the bag of six things of romanine lettuce we get from Sam’s every couple of weeks. I *would* like to try those tuna fillets some time, but otherwise I can’t justify the added expense.

  5. Amanda Said,

    I ALWAYS buy the bagged lettuce! It is so worth it to me to have no prep time. I have tried the foil packs of tuna. Mark went through a tuna kick last year sometime and we bought some that we could take to work to eat for lunch. I’m not a huge fan of tuna, so it’s not something that I buy very often. As far as chicken is concerned, I usually just buy the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at Sam’s and put them on the Foreman for salads and such. I actually buy my salad at Sam’s as well. They have a big bag of salad that has all the good for you kinds of lettuce and other leafy looking stuff for a salad.

  6. Dianne Said,

    I used to buy the bagged lettuce often. Now I bought a salad spinner and have been trying to buy leaf lettuce more and keep some ready to go in the fridge. I do buy baby spinach in a bag though. I think I bought the foil pack tuna once. I don’t know why, I just stick to the cans – probably just habit.

  7. Suzanne Said,

    I usually don’t do the shopping or prep for cooking, so who knows. However, we do buy the bagged lettuce, even tho’ some kinds I don’t like, ex. the “wierd lettuces”
    We have never bought what you are showing, only eat tuna from the can rarely usually for what we call “tuna coona” . tuna noodle cold salad.
    Having lived in salmon country, I can’t bear to think how horrible the packets would be. I am very picky about my fish products.
    so there !!

  8. booklogged Said,

    I’ve never tried tuna, chicken or salmon in the foil bags mainly because they don’t store as nicely in the pantry. I have opted for albacore instead of tuna, as well. Now that you’ve peaked my curiousity I may just have to try out the bags. I do buy bagged salads, but I don’t think they are as tasty as making my own.

  9. kT Said,

    This sounds so like me! I resisted all of the more packaged foods — but I gave in. Part of it is convenience. I eat more lettuce when I don’t have to prep it, plus there is less in the bag than in a good head of romaine. And I can get weird lettuces (which I like). I buy both kinds of tuna, depending on how cheap/poor I feel at the time.

    Last time I went to the store right after pay day, I bought celery sticks in a bag. Which is ridiculous, but unlike the celery sleeves, I didn’t waste any of it at all…..

  10. Cam Said,

    I always buy the bagged salad, because I will eat the salad a lot more often if it’s easy. I finally decided to let the extra expense stop bothering me, since it helps me to eat healthier.

    About the tuna. I tried the foil pouch and didn’t like it. It was like the tuna was TOO dry for my taste? I do drain the tuna in the can, but it always retains a little moisture and I guess I prefer it that way. So I don’t have to worry about the extra expense on that one, since I prefer the taste of the canned.

    However, I DO occasionally buy the special-flavored pouches. I think they’re all really tasty! My favorite is the tomato basil…soooo yummy over rice. 🙂

    Great topic!

  11. Trista Said,

    I have tried the foil tuna, but not the chicken. I am interested to know if I would like it better than the can chicken. I usually prefer to buy the boneless skinless chick breasts at Sam’s, but I keep a can of chicken on hand for when I am in a crunch for time, or if I don’t feel well. We usually keep can tuna in the pantry as well. We don’t eat it that often to be honest. Alan is not a fish fan, so we haven’t tried any of the others.

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