OUR WINNER: Fresh Tuna! Virtually every type of fresh, smoked or canned oily fish counts, except for canned tuna. This is because most fish is processed in the can from raw, whereas tuna is cooked prior to canning. This significantly reduces the levels of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids.
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.
1. Is canned tuna fish good for you? Yes, canned tuna is a healthful food rich in protein and contains many vitamins and minerals such as B-Complex vitamins, Vitamins A and D as well as iron, selenium and phosphorus. Tuna also contains healthy omega 3 essential fatty acids DHA and EPA.
Nutritional benefits of canned versus fresh tuna
Fresh tuna is naturally higher in protein and contains a few more calories. When you buy tuna canned in oil, you can expect the fat content to increase to about 6.4g per 100g and the calories to be around 159 calories per 100g.
Broiled or Grilled
Grilling or broiling a fresh tuna steak is not only one of the healthiest ways to eat tuna, but one of the tastiest. This method of cooking enhances the full, rich fish flavors.
Both water-packed and oil-packed tuna are good sources of protein and low in saturated fat. However, canned tuna packed in oil tends to be higher in calories and total fat.
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).
Though tuna is very nutritious, it's also high in mercury compared to most other fish. Therefore, it should be eaten in moderation — not every day. You can eat skipjack and light canned tuna alongside other low-mercury fish a few times each week, but should limit or avoid albacore, yellowfin and bigeye tuna.
Despite the data presented in this new report, the FDA says it stands by its recommendations of a maximum of 12 ounces a week of canned light tuna and 6 ounces of albacore. Six ounces is the equivalent of an average can of tuna.
The tests showed that, based on recommended serving sizes, sardines and salmon contained much higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids than tuna. Sardines provided about 1,600 mg to 1,800 mg of DHA and EPA per 85 gram serving, while salmon provided 400 mg to 700 mg per 56 gram serving.
Oil vs Water
Tuna packed in water will contain fewer calories and less fat but also allows for the loss of omega 3 fatty acids to occur. Water-packed also dilutes the natural juices and flavors contained within the fish and can lead to a more rounded and less refined taste.
While they're both highly nutritious, salmon comes out ahead due to its healthy omega-3 fats and vitamin D. Meanwhile, tuna is the winner if you're instead looking for more protein and fewer calories per serving.
Not only is it lower in sodium and other additives, it's a good source of omega-3 fats and a great way to add protein to your lunch! Compared to canned fish, the vacuum-sealed pouches also have a fresher flavor and texture.
Processed foods: When ingredients such as oil, sugar or salt are added to foods and they are packaged, the result is processed foods. Examples are simple bread, cheese, tofu, and canned tuna or beans.
Canned light tuna is the better, lower-mercury choice, according to the FDA and EPA. Canned white and yellowfin tuna are higher in mercury, but still okay to eat. Bigeye tuna should be avoided completely, but that species isn't used for canned tuna anyway.
According to LiveStrong, eating more than the advised amount of tuna each week can result in increased exposure to mercury, a neurotoxin. Mercury poisoning can cause several concerning neurological symptoms, including coordination loss, memory problems, seizures, and tremors.
Health effects of mercury exposure
The inhalation of mercury vapour can produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys, and may be fatal. The inorganic salts of mercury are corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested.
Interesting to know: all the pole and line products (except Woolworths') are skipjack tuna, which is significantly lower in mercury than yellowfin (which Sirena is full of).
Tuna is significantly lower in cholesterol
Surprisingly, lean chicken breast is somewhat high in cholesterol. It has more than twice as much per serving as any water-packed variety of Chicken of the Sea tuna: Boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked: 131 mg cholesterol.
Fish such as sardines, salmon, and tuna are chock full of omega-3 fatty acids and considered to be anti-inflammatory.
Tuna not only improves the metabolic rate in individuals but also increases bodily functions to keep you energetic, active, and healthy. For example, eating tuna after a workout will help you to maintain your energy while reducing belly fat due to the high-thermic effect. This fish is a complete protein.
Tuna is another low-calorie, high-protein food. It is lean fish, so there isn't much fat in it. Tuna is popular among bodybuilders and fitness models who are on a cut because it's a great way to keep protein high, with total calories and fat low.
Plain. Just eat tuna on it's own in a container either cold or warmed up in the microwave. Tuna sandwiches. You can fit about 100g of tuna on a sandwich, add some shredded lettuce, tomato, whatever vegetables you like, and maybe a few shakes of pepper for a bit of spice.