what kind of canned tuna is best

by Prof. Philip Harvey DVM Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

What is the safest brand of canned tuna?

Nov 03, 2021 · Pay attention to the type of tuna used in the can of tuna. Light tuna from skipjack, albacore, and yellowfin are the better choices for lower levels of mercury, with skipjack having the lowest levels. Packaging . Canned tunas aren't just available in …

How to choose the best canned tuna?

Oct 06, 2021 · According to the National Fisheries Institute, the most widely-purchased kind of canned tuna is light meat chunk tuna in water. Based on what Shapiro shared with us, it seems like most people are getting it right. "Canned in water is ideal," she said, before adding, "If you get it canned in oil, make sure it's olive oil."

What is the healthiest canned tuna?

Apr 28, 2020 · Skipjack: “Skipjack is the species most commonly used in canned tuna,” Rissetto said. “It is mainly sold as ‘canned light’ or ‘chunk light’ tuna, and it is also available fresh and frozen. It’s high in omega-3s, too.”.

What is the safest canned tuna to eat?

Albacore is America’s favorite type of canned tunas and it’s also considered healthier due to its darker meat that contains less mercury than skipjack and yellowfin tuna. Albacore tuna is less common in grocery stores, but it’s usually the most expensive of all canned tunas.

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The most common types of tuna fish include: Yellow Fin Tuna; Albacore Tuna; Skipjack Tuna; Each of these tuna has different characteristics which make them especially popular as canned tuna. Know Before You Buy. All of these three types of tuna fish are unique and delicious.

What is the healthiest type of canned tuna?

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.May 22, 2017

Which is healthier albacore or chunk light tuna?

Nutritionally, all types of canned tuna offer lean protein, omega-3 fats, selenium, and other important nutrients. While albacore tuna is slightly higher in fat and calories, the difference is minimal enough that it shouldn't deter you.

Is there healthy canned tuna?

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.

Is albacore tuna better than regular tuna?

Albacore is a better source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids than other tunas, a healthier choice that is good for one's heart and even fights certain types of cancer.Jun 8, 2018

What tuna has the least mercury?

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 ).Nov 7, 2018

Which tuna is highest in mercury?

Albacore tuna

Albacore tuna is a larger species and contains higher levels of mercury. Canned white albacore tuna typically contains about 0.32 parts per million of mercury. Canned light tuna contains about 0.12 parts per million of mercury.

Is chunk light tuna healthy?

The FDA's recommendation cites high levels of protein, vitamin D, selenium, B12, omega 3 fats and trace minerals. However, chunk light tuna is the only type of tuna recommended by the FDA as a "best choice," with two to three servings per week considered safe for consumption.Dec 16, 2019

Is StarKist tuna real tuna?

All StarKist Tuna and salmon are wild caught fish. Our tuna is caught in the Western Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, and our salmon is caught in Alaska.

Is StarKist tuna high in mercury?

Two familiar US brands, StarKist and Chicken of the Sea, accounted for 60 percent of our light tuna samples. The overall average mercury levels in the two brands were 0.131 and 0.126 µg/g, respectively, and one set of samples of each brand had much higher than aver- age levels.

Is chunk light tuna the same as albacore?

While Solid White Albacore is packed with larger pieces, Chunk White Albacore Tuna is packed with smaller chunks that are still mild in flavor, firm in texture, and white in color. Finally, Chunk Light Tuna is sourced from a variety of smaller tuna fish.

Is white or dark tuna better?

Canned Tuna

The flavor of white tuna is milder than light tuna. In comparison to light tuna, white tuna has about three times more mercury, calories and fat, but fewer omega-3 fatty acids. Overall, light tuna is considered to be healthier than white tuna.

Is yellowfin or albacore tuna better?

White Tuna (Albacore), also known as Bonito del Norte, is considered a superior tuna for its exquisite flavor, smooth texture and white tone. Yellowfin Tuna has a reddish color and the texture is not as fine, yet it retains a pleasant flavor.

Light tuna vs. white tuna

Albacore is America's favorite tuna, and it's the only species of fish that can be labeled as "white". Its meat is lighter in color and less flavorful than "light" tuna, which typically comes from skipjack and yellowfin. The "light" tuna meat is slightly darker and more pink, and is considered more flavorful.

Oil packed vs. water packed

Some brands carry both oil- and water-packed tuna, and sometimes just tuna and salt. It's really up to you to decide your preference. From a nutrition perspective, beware of tuna packed in soybean oil. If you're going to go for oil-packed tuna, olive oil packs more nutrients and is a better option.

What about mercury?

You should always be aware of mercury in seafood, especially if you're pregnant. Mercury consumed during pregnancy has been linked to developmental delays and brain damage. Mercury is a natural element in the environment but because of human activity, it ends up in our waterways.

How is the tuna caught?

The method of catching tuna is a big deal in the sustainability field. Pole and line fishing and trolling are two highly rated methods that make sure other species don't get caught in the mix. Poll and line means exactly what you think fishing means: one person with a pole. Trolling uses a boat with a few poles.

How to pick the best canned tuna

Tuna is an inexpensive protein that's shelf stable. It's a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA, which are important for heart, brain, and eye health. Albacore and bluefin tuna have the highest levels of omega-3s followed by skipjack and yellowfin. Here are some things to look out for when picking up canned tuna:

The healthiest canned tuna you can buy

You get what you see—and more! Rated as best sustainable option by Greenpeace, Wild Planet has a robust sustainability policy. Every product is poll and line or troll caught, meaning there is less unintentional negative impact on other marine life. Wild Planet also submits their products to third party mercury testing.

The worst canned tuna you can buy

Bumble Bee calls their products 'preferred by customers when compared to Starkist' and a variety of other brands. But can we talk about tuna in soybean oil? While the ingredients are simple, there's no need for adding soybean oil to tuna alongside vegetable broth and sea salt.

What are the most common types of canned tuna?

Throughout history, tuna has been one of the most sought after fish to catch. It is delicious and is a source for nutrients such as protein, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. There are over 48 different species of tuna, but we tend to only find a handful are caught and sold as canned tuna. The most common types of tuna fish include:

Know Before You Buy

All of these three types of tuna fish are unique and delicious. When selecting what type of canned tuna you would like to buy, be sure to look at its sustainability and if it is dolphin safe. Enjoy!

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