A question I receive very often from my readers is if canned tuna is even allowed on Paleo and Autoimmune Protocol diets. Luckily, the answer is yes, making this one of the easiest and quickest snacks to grab for those on the AIP.
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.
*Tuna is an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids. The amount of Omega 3's in the different types of tuna varies and may contain 80mg – 240mg mg per serving EPA and DHA combined.
Fresh and canned tuna do not count as oily fish. Oily fish are: high in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, which may help to prevent heart disease. a good source of vitamin D.
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.
Fish such as sardines, salmon, and tuna are chock full of omega-3 fatty acids and considered to be anti-inflammatory.
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. These foods have been altered, but not in a way that's detrimental to health.
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).
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.
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.
Tuna, a firm-fleshed fish that's available in budget-friendly cans to high-end sushi, is also a superfood. From a nutritional standpoint, tuna is a treasure-trove, containing plenty of protein, vitamins, and healthy fats. As a bonus, tuna is also a flexible ingredient that's tasty both raw or fresh off the grill.
Eating more than the advised amount of tuna each week can result in increased exposure to the neurotoxin. Mercury poisoning can cause several concerning neurological symptoms, including coordination loss, memory problems, seizures, and tremors.
"While canned tuna, especially light varieties, has relatively low average levels of mercury, individual cans can sometimes have much higher levels," Consumer Reports said.
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.
One of the healthiest choices is canned tuna packed in extra-virgin olive oil, which is loaded with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats (per the USDA). Keep in mind, though, that this option may be pricier than canned tuna packed in other oils or water.
Red meat and processed meats, including bacon, hot dogs, lunch meats and cured meats. Refined grains, including white bread, white rice, pasta and breakfast cereals. Snack foods, including chips, cookies, crackers and pastries.
Anti-inflammatory foods
green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards. nuts like almonds and walnuts. fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines. fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges.
6Tuna. Tuna is rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce the levels of inflammatory substances produced by the body. Try it in this chargrilled tuna with avocado and coconut salad.
As you can see, chicken is higher in calories, protein and fat (which includes saturated fat) than a can of tuna calories, but they're still pretty comparable.
Still, small amounts of mercury can pose a risk to young children, unborn babies and the babies of nursing mothers, so the recommended servings of even low-mercury canned light tuna and salmon are no more than 2 to 3 servings per week of 3 to 4 ounces for folks who fall into those categories.
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.