From a nutrition standpoint, water-packed tuna provides you with pure protein and a more subtle tuna flavor. Oil-packed tuna, on the other hand, has a softer texture and stronger tuna flavor. Both water-packed and oil-packed are excellent sources of protein and can be found from sustainable, non-GMO brands.
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.
Best Overall Tuna: StarKist Albacore White Tuna in Water
StarKist albacore was juicy and bright with just the right level of salt. Packed in water, this brand is super healthy—it has 17 grams of protein, 60% of your vitamin 12 for the day and is just 80 calories per package.
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.
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.
Because it's packed in a watery broth instead of oil, it has fewer calories — but it also contains a high amount of salt. Draining the liquid removes excess sodium, which is beneficial for salt-conscious eaters.
There's some dissension in the test kitchen about this, but I say, “Go olive-oil-packed or just buy chicken.” If your tuna is in water, all the flavor of your tuna is in that water. Oil-packing, on the other hand, seals in flavor and gives you some luxurious fat to work with.
When buying tuna, opt for skipjack or canned light varieties, which do not harbor as much mercury as albacore or bigeye. You can consume skipjack and canned light tuna alongside other low-mercury species, such as cod, crab, salmon and scallops, as part of the recommended 2–3 servings of fish per week ( 10 ).
Safe Catch Elite Tuna, simply the lowest mercury tuna of any brand.
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.
Yellowfin and albacore tuna land somewhere in between, containing around 30 micrograms of mercury per 3 ounces. Given these mercury concentrations, people may safely consume three to four servings of low-mercury tuna per week. Higher mercury tuna should be restricted to one serving per week.
Our wild-caught tuna fish in water really is a healthy choice. Not only is it incredibly tasty but Ayam Brand is Halal certified by Jakim and Healthier Choice. We also only use tuna that are not endangered and from biomass that is healthy. This tuna is ideal for cooking at home.
It contains no partially hydrogenated oil or trans fat, and it is low in saturated fats and cholesterol, making it an ideal food item for those watching their cholesterol levels.
Tuna in olive oil: healthfulness in abundance. Tunas are a genuine, nutritious food rich in noble proteins and in vitamins P, B and A, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids – perfect for a balanced diet!
The benefits of eating canned tuna every day outweigh the risks. Because canned tuna provides omega-3 fatty acids and is a lean source of protein, there's no harm in adding it to your daily diet. "Mercury levels are very low, and canned tuna is the most economical and accessible way to consume omega-3s," Miller says.
The traditional treatment for mercury poisoning is to stop all exposures. In many cases, chelation therapy is also used. This involves giving a medication (the chelator) which goes into the body and grabs the metal (chelos is the Greek word for claw) then carries the metal out of the body, usually into the urine.
Most of the metallic mercury will accumulate in your kidneys, but some metallic mercury can also accumulate in the brain. Most of the metallic mercury absorbed into the body eventually leaves in the urine and feces, while smaller amounts leave the body in the exhaled breath.
Best in breed
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.
Dieters, piscatarians, low carbers, and fish lovers should head straight to Aldi for their high quality tuna. Tuna makes for a healthy plate, as it is recommended by nutritionists for its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which may help to reduce omega-6 fatty acids and LDL cholesterol.
There are two main types of canned tuna: White albacore and chunk light. Chunk light is made mostly from skipjack tuna, a smaller species of tuna. Albacore tuna is a larger species and contains higher levels of mercury.
A. Canned salmon, tuna, sardines, kippered herring, and other types of fish are pretty much on a par with fresh fish. They give you as much heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids as fresh fish, and sometimes more. These essential oils help prevent potentially deadly heart rhythms.
Things You'll Need
Canned tuna is perfectly safe to eat directly out of the can, with no further preparation necessary; however, rinsing the tuna before eating it can remove excess sodium, and in the case of tuna that is packed in oil, rinsing it can remove some of the excess calories.