Is canned tuna healthy for weight loss

Q: Is it okay to eat canned tuna every day?

Though tuna is very nutritious, its also high in mercury compared to most other fish. Therefore, it should be eaten in moderation — not every day. You can eat skipjack and light canned tuna alongside other low-mercury fish a few times each week, but should limit or avoid albacore, yellowfin and bigeye tuna.

Q: Which canned tuna is best for weight loss?

Chunk light tuna: This is typically from yellowfin tuna or skipjack, meaning its lower in calories and fat and therefore lower in omegas and lower in mercury,” Rissetto said. Solid/albacore tuna: Rissetto said this type of tuna tends to be higher in calories and lower in protein and B12, and higher in mercury.

Discover our full range of health benefit guides and find out more about the health benefits of other fish, including salmon. Also, check out some of our delicious tuna recipes, from our tuna & lemon pasta to sesame tuna steaks with Asian slaw.

Table of Contents Show

Nutritional benefits of canned versus fresh tuna
1. Source of high-quality protein
2. Useful source of the amino acid taurine
3. Useful source of vitamins and minerals
4. Low in fat
5. May help weight management
Is tuna, including canned tuna, safe for everyone?
Is it okay to eat canned tuna every day?
Is tuna with mayo good for weight loss?
Which canned tuna is best for weight loss?
Does tuna help burn belly fat?

Nutritional benefits of canned versus fresh tuna

From a macronutrient point of view, there isn't a great deal of difference in the amount of protein or fats when comparing canned tuna in brine to fresh. Fresh tuna is naturally higher in protein and contains a few more calories.

A 100g serving of canned tuna (in brine) provides:

• 109 kcal / 460 kJ
• 24.9g protein
• 1.0g fat
• 69mcg selenium
• 0.733g salt

A 100g serving of fresh tuna (cooked) provides:

• 136 kcal / 579 kJ
• 32.3 g protein
• 0.8g fat
• 92mcg selenium
• 0.158g salt

When you buy tuna canned in oil, you can expect the fat content to increase to about 6.4g per 100g and the calories to be around 159 calories per 100g. When buying tuna, look for the Marine Stewardship Council Fisheries Standard (MSC) label, so you know the fish you are buying is certified sustainable.

1. Source of high-quality protein

Fish is a source of a high-quality protein, and canned tuna in particular offers an affordable protein source and makes a useful storecupboard staple.

2. Useful source of the amino acid taurine

As well as being a source of protein, seafood, including fish like tuna, is a useful source of the amino acid taurine. Studies suggest this amino acid may be helpful for protecting against heart disease.

3. Useful source of vitamins and minerals

Both fresh and canned tuna are a useful source of B vitamins, especially niacin (B3), which supports the nervous system and skin. Tuna also contains calcium, which supports healthy bones and muscle contractions; magnesium, required for energy; and vitamin D, which supports the immune system, bone strength and brain function. Fresh tuna (per 100g) has double the amount of vitamin D compared to that of canned tuna.

4. Low in fat

Tuna is low in fat, with just 1g of fat in a 100g edible portion – this is also the case for tuna canned in spring water or brine.

Although once considered an oily variety of fish, the type considered beneficial for heart health, the UK’s official advice on oily fish changed in 2018, with tuna no longer counting as a good source. This is because current data shows that levels of the long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in fresh tuna are more comparable to that found in white fish.

5. May help weight management

Tuna, including canned tuna in spring water or brine, is low in fat and calories, but high in protein, making it a useful inclusion in a weight loss diet.

Is tuna, including canned tuna, safe for everyone?

A healthy, balanced diet should include at least two portions (two 140g cooked weight portions) of fish per week, of which one should be the oily variety. Most of us aren't eating this much.

That said, for certain types of fish including tuna, there are recommendations about the maximum amount you should eat. This is because tuna is at risk of contamination from mercury. Research suggests light and skipjack tuna are lower in mercury than larger species such as bigeye and albacore.

For this reason, the NHS recommends that if you’re pregnant or trying for a baby, you should not eat more than four cans of tuna or two tuna steaks per week. Otherwise, for the majority of us, tuna is fine to eat as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Although an allergy to shellfish appears to be more common, some people are allergic to fish. Interestingly, some studies suggest canned tuna has a lower allergenicity. Despite this, if you know you are allergic to fish, you should avoid its consumption.

If an allergic reaction is suspected, make an appointment with your GP or NHS allergy clinic to confirm diagnosis.

For more information visit the NHS website for advice on allergies.

This article was reviewed on 22 February 2022 by Kerry Torrens.

Kerry Torrens BSc. (Hons) PgCert MBANT is a Registered Nutritionist with a post graduate diploma in Personalised Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy. She is a member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and a member of the Guild of Food Writers. Over the last 15 years she has been a contributing author to a number of nutritional and cookery publications including BBC Good Food.

Nicola Shubrook is a nutritional therapist and works with both private clients and the corporate sector. She is an accredited member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). Find out more at urbanwellness.co.uk.

All health content on bbcgoodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other healthcare professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local healthcare provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.

Is it okay to eat canned tuna every day?

Though tuna is very nutritious, it's also high in mercury compared to most other fish. Therefore, it should be eaten in moderation — not every day. You can eat skipjack and light canned tuna alongside other low-mercury fish a few times each week, but should limit or avoid albacore, yellowfin and bigeye tuna.

Is tuna with mayo good for weight loss?

A lot people who are on a weight loss diet will turn to tuna because of its high level of protein – 3 oz of albacore tuna has 20g of protein but only about 100 calories. However, if you're eating tuna as a traditional tuna salad with mayonnaise, you may be consuming unnecessary calories and fat.

Which canned tuna is best for weight loss?

Chunk light tuna: “This is typically from yellowfin tuna or skipjack, meaning it's lower in calories and fat and therefore lower in omegas and lower in mercury,” Rissetto said. Solid/albacore tuna: Rissetto said this type of tuna tends to be higher in calories and lower in protein and B12, and higher in mercury.

Does tuna help burn belly fat?

Tuna is one of the most popular choices amongst bodybuilders and fitness models who have very lean bodies with minimum fat including visceral fat. Tuna is an excellent choice for people trying to lose visceral fat as it is a lean source of high-quality protein.