It is our opinion that it is best to skip tuna and serve other canned fish that are lower in mercury (such as canned salmon, sardines, or North Atlantic mackerel).
Skipjack are the smallest of the major tuna species, while yellowfin are larger. So, the fact the canned tuna in Australian cupboards is likely to contain smaller species is already a bonus when it comes to reducing mercury risk.
2 Canned sardines: Sustainable and full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, sardines are one of the few fish we can and should be eating regularly. 3 Canned salmon: Canned salmon is lower in mercury than canned tuna and can be mixed into burgers, croquettes, pasta and quiche.
Salmon offers an alternative for those who love seafood but wish to substitute tuna. Its rich, oily texture and flavor profile make it a versatile fish, similar to tuna in many ways. Being high in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and vitamins, salmon provides health benefits comparable to those of tuna.
If you're concerned about limiting the amount of mercury you consume, and if you've eaten no other fish during the week, Consumer Reports says up to 12 ounces a week of Bumble Bee Chunk Light, Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light, Safe Catch Wild Elite, and StarKist Chunk Light tunas are the safer choices among the products ...
Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish species that are lower in mercury, such as shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and (farmed) catfish. You may eat up to 6 ounces of canned albacore ("white") tuna per week.
FRIDAY, Feb. 10, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Canned tuna is known to contain low levels of mercury, but a new Consumer Reports investigation has found spikes of the neurotoxin in some cans. The organization tested five popular tuna brands, CBS News reported.
Sardines do not have a lot of mercury in them, so they're healthier in that regard. They mostly survive on plankton. They offer high values in vitamins B2, B12, and D. These fish also contain a fair amount of omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, and phosphorous.
Sardines are small and contain a lot of oil. They are also a low-mercury fish, so it's safe to eat them if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Oil-packed tuna may be more suitable for recipes that benefit from the richness of the oil, such as pasta dishes or salads, while water-packed tuna can be a healthier option for those looking to reduce their fat intake or enjoy a simple, more straightforward tuna flavor.
Safe Catch Elite Tuna, simply the lowest mercury tuna of any brand.
Canned white, or albacore (0.32 parts per million of mercury). Children under six can eat up to one 3-ounce portion a month; children from 6-12, two 4.5-ounce portions a month. Adults, including pregnant women, can safely eat this kind of tuna up to three times a month (women, 6-ounce portions; men, 8-ounce portions).
Can cooking fish get rid of the mercury? No, there is no method of cooking or cleaning fish that will reduce the amount of mercury. Pregnant women should enjoy cooked fish and not eat raw fish as raw fish may have bacteria that can harm your baby.
Best in breed
Think twice about yellowfin, which is generally less sustainable than skipjack. If the tin doesn't list the type of tuna, don't buy it. Brands with decent credentials include Fish 4 Eva, John West, Safcol and Sirena. Aldi and Coles own-brand cans are OK, too, but check each for breed and catch method.
The FDA recommends consuming fish lower in mercury. For tuna varieties, skipjack earns the Best Choice label from the FDA, while yellowfin and albacore receive the Good Choice label. The FDA suggests avoiding bigeye tuna, which has the highest levels of mercury.
It's generally safe for all population groups, including pregnant women, to consume 2-3 serves of any type of tuna or salmon a week, canned or fresh. Canned tuna usually has lower mercury levels than other tuna because tuna used for canning are smaller species that are caught when less than 1 year old.
Yes. Swordfish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, but several other fish lower in mercury are too. This includes mackerel, warehou (trevally), Atlantic salmon, canned salmon and tuna, herrings and sardines.
While canned sardines are a low-mercury fish choice, Manaker notes, "eating them frequently—as in more than four times a week—may be a concern, since you could potentially be exposed to too much [mercury]." While this shouldn't scare you (especially if you're consuming less than 8 ounces per week), it's important to ...
Salmon is low in mercury.
Both wild and farmed Atlantic salmon have much lower mercury levels than most other fish species. Farmed salmon has on average, 0.05 micrograms of mercury per gram.
Sardines are high in protein, rich in omega-3 fatty acids (associated with heart health benefits), and filled with certain important vitamins (especially D and B12) and minerals (such as calcium). However, sardines packed in oil are high in sodium and cholesterol, so daily consumption of them is not advisable.
My alternative to the traditional tuna sandwich has loads of bright flavor from lemon zest and capers. I like using sardines to switch it up; both fishes work well. If you use water-packed tuna, drain well and add another tablespoon or 2 olive oil.
Anchovies, mackerel, and herring are excellent options because their texture closely resembles that of sardines. Other choices, such as tuna or salmon, may not be as tender, but can still work if flaked properly.
Mercury accumulates in your bloodstream over time and slowly leaves the body through urine, feces, and breast milk. If you eat a lot of fish high in mercury, it may take up to a year for your mercury levels to drop after you stop eating the fish.
In tuna flesh, mercury essentially occurs as methylmercury, which is the organic form of mercury that builds up naturally as tuna grow older and bigger; this process is known as bioaccumulation. Methylmercury is eliminated by marine organisms at a slower rate than it is accumulated (see Box 1).