Is Canned Tuna Healthy? (2024)

FAQs

Is Canned Tuna Healthy? ›

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.

Canned tuna typically contains either albacore or skipjack tuna, and cans are usually marked as either “albacore” or “chunk light.” Albacore tuna typically has higher concentrations of mercury than chunk light tuna and should be eaten only once or twice a week. Chunk light tuna is safe to eat two or three times a week.

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. Before consuming canned tuna, it is best to consult with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Canned light tuna is in the “Best Choices” category and it is fine to eat 2 to 3 servings per week. We recommend that you eat a variety of fish. You may wish to try other affordable fish in the “Best Choices” category such as canned salmon or sardines, frozen fish, or fresh fish that are at a reduced price. 3.

If you're counting calories and maximizing omega-3 fatty acids, then tuna in water might make a great choice. On the other hand, if moisture, flavor, and vitamin D levels are your focus, then olive oil-packed tuna might be better. Whatever tuna you choose, it's important not to go overboard for this mild-flavored fish.

Safe Catch's Original Elite Wild Tuna. Safe Catch Elite Tuna, simply the lowest mercury tuna of any brand.

StarKist^® Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water can contains a solid fillet of delicious wild caught albacore tuna. Albacore's mild flavor and firmer texture makes it a great option for salads, pasta dishes or as a substitute for chicken in your favorite recipe.

Canned tuna is healthy: all types of tuna are high in protein and feature omega-3 fatty acids, yet lower in saturated fat and calories. However, albacore does have slightly more fat and calories than light tuna such as skipjack or yellowfin—which means it has more omega-3 fatty acids.

Canned tuna is healthy: an entire five-ounce can of tuna in water (which has about 40 mg cholesterol), mixed with 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise (which has about 12 mg), still has less than half as much cholesterol as a single serving of plain chicken breast.

Certain types of tuna are high in mercury, which can have harmful effects on health in high amounts or in certain populations. For most healthy adults, it's recommended to consume at least 2 servings of fish per week, which can include tuna.

Is canned tuna high in mercury? ›

That's because, while canned tuna, especially light varieties, has relatively low average levels of mercury, individual cans can sometimes have much higher levels. “From can to can, mercury levels can spike in unpredictable ways that might jeopardize the health of a fetus,” says James E.

Subway's North American importers – Jana Brands and Rema Food Group – source wild-caught skipjack tuna from Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, the top tuna-sourcing markets globally.

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.

Different tuna brands, whether pouched or canned, will provide varying nutrition. Some will be lower in sodium, while others will be higher in fats due to being packaged in oil. However, usually, a pouch of tuna contains more tuna meat than canned. This is due to the additional weight of water in the canned variety.

The FDA recommends consuming no more than 2-3 servings (about 6 ounces) of low-mercury fish like canned light tuna per week. High mercury levels can lead to health issues like impaired vision, coordination problems, and neurological disturbances, particularly in pregnant women or young children.

Canned fish is recommended as part of a healthy diet, but in moderation. It may be safe for some people to eat low-mercury canned fish daily, the experts note. "It depends on what you're eating and who you are," says Largeman-Roth. Canned fish that are higher in mercury should not be eaten daily, the experts note.

With 90 calories and 16g of protein, this nutrient-dense tuna pouch is the perfect fit for today's active lifestyle. It also works well with Mediterranean and Weight Watchers diet plans. All you need to do is just tear, eat and go!