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. However, there is one potential concern with eating it 3-4 times a week.
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.
Canned and fresh tuna have similar nutritional benefits. A serving of raw or cooked (steamed or poached) fresh tuna contains more protein, vitamin D, and selenium than canned tuna, but it's higher in calories than canned tuna according to the U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture (USDA).
A study by the Mercury Policy Project found a wide range of mercury levels in both light and white tuna from government-sponsored school lunch programs. Some of the canned albacore/white tuna tested had almost four times the average level of mercury reported by the Food and Drug Administration.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
Takeaway. 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.
1 Smoked trout: Canned smoked trout is a great substitute for canned tuna, whether mashed up with mayonnaise and lemon juice or flaked over a green salad. It is especially good tossed with thinly sliced cabbage.
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.
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.
Is it healthy? Yes. Tinned tuna is high in protein and contains more omega-3 fatty acids by weight than any fresh fish, though not as many as tinned sardines. Mercury levels concern some people but Food Standards Australia says the average person could eat a small tin every day with no concerns.
Draining the liquid removes excess sodium, which is beneficial for salt-conscious eaters. And, perhaps even more important for tuna salad sandwich fans, removing that briny water will lower the chances of a soggy sandwich saga on your plate.
There are some differences between pouched and canned tuna
However, since heat can penetrate the thin material on the pouch more easily than cans, pouched tuna requires a shorter cooking and processing time, which leads to a fresher and firmer tasting product, according to Just Food.
Albacore White Tuna in Water Low Sodium (Pouch)
Of course you can always enjoy StarKist Tuna or Salmon right out of the pouch. Just grab a fork! StarKist Tuna and Salmon Pouches offer delicious & nutritious meal solutions to fit your busy lifestyle.
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. The real differences lie in the rest of their nutrients.
The tuna are pre-cooked (steamed), then processed and canned, then cooked again in the can. You can eat it straight out of the can, or use it in both cold or hot recipes.
Place cans and pouches of tuna in a cool place. The best temperature for storage is room temperature. Keep cans and pouches dry and off the floor because this will prevent them from rusting and leaking, or accidentally being crushed.
The “best by” date is printed on the back of the pouch. As long as the pouch is not damaged and was stored properly (not exposed to freezing or high temperatures for long periods of time) the quality will be good for at least 5 years.