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Feeding your household on a tight schedule does not mean you are able to not eat well. Make the most of your veggies and favorite fruits available year-round in cans.

Processed meals could be a smart way to incorporate fruits and vegetables to your daily diet. Processed foods can help you meet with the new 2005 Dietary Tips for Americans, because they provide convenient nutrition.

Processed foods are pre-cooked and pre-cut, saving time in the kitchen. They can also remain on the shelf for up to couple of years without losing nutrients.

Reports from the University of Massachusetts and the University of Illinois confirm that processed foods are nutritionally much like cooked fresh and frozen varieties.

Sweet potatoes are not only for the holiday season. Full of vitamin A, canned sweet potatoes are particularly delicious in this formula for Gingered Sweet Potato-Apple Salad, which was created by the Canned Food Alliance and meets Produce for Better Health Foundation dietary standards that keep veggies and fruits as well balanced meals. Try this nutrient-dense angle on an American favorite.

Gingered Sweet

Potato-Apple Salad

1 can (15 ounces) sweet potatoes or yams, in light syrup, drained and cubed

1 can (8 ounces) pineapple tidbits, drained

1 apple, cored and diced

1/2 cup diced celery

1/2 cashews were chopped by cup coarsely

1/4 cup honey mustard dressing

2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger

6 cups mixed salad greens

Combine sweet carrots, pineapple, apple, oatmeal and cashews in a big bowl. In a tiny bowl, combine salad dressing and ginger; pour over sweet potato mixture; toss gently. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour. Serve over salad greens.

Makes 6 servings.

Nutritional data per serving: calories: 222, whole fat: 7.6g, saturated fat: 1.4g, % calories from fat: 29%, % calories from saturated fat: 5%, protein: 4g, carbohydrates: 38g, cholesterol: 0mg, dietary fiber: 5g, sodium: 148mg. visit shunned