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 ).
Which tuna has the most mercury?
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.
What is the safest kind of tuna?
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).
Is yellowfin tuna high in mercury?
Bigeye and yellowfin, also known as ahi, are common in sushi. Both types, along with bluefin, are high in mercury and should be eaten infrequently, if at all. Most tuna are caught by purse seines or longlines, which have moderate-to-high bycatch of seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals.
Does canned tuna have less mercury?
When you eat certain kinds of fish—especially big, fatty fish like tuna—mercury can build up in your bloodstream over time, too. Canned tuna has lower mercury levels than tuna steaks and sushi, and two canned tuna meals a week is a safe threshold, the FDA says.
What is the safest kind of tuna?
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).
Why is canned tuna not healthy?
Potential downsides. The two main concerns when it comes to tuna are mercury content and sustainability. There are also some potential downsides to canned tuna specifically, including fat and sodium content and the safety of the can itself.
Which tuna is better albacore or yellowfin?
All tuna is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, yet low in saturated fat and calories. However, albacore does have slightly more fat and calories than skipjack or yellowfin—which means it has more omega-3 fatty acids.
Which is better tuna in oil or water?
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.
Which has more mercury albacore or yellowfin tuna?
Yellowfin: Also referred to as ahi tuna, yellowfin tuna is higher in mercury than albacore or skipjack. It’s also high in omega-3 fatty acids. Skipjack: “Skipjack is the species most commonly used in canned tuna,” Rissetto said.
What is the best kind of 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.
Is it okay to eat canned tuna every day?
How much mercury is in yellowtail tuna?
Bigeye tuna have the most mercury, at nearly 60 micrograms per 3 ounce serving. Yellowfin and albacore tuna have about half as much mercury, containing 30 micrograms for the same portion. Skipjack, on the other hand, only has 12 micrograms of mercury.
Which is better chunk light tuna or albacore?
Albacore tuna is a larger fish with a lighter colored flesh, a firmer texture, and a milder flavor than the solid or chunk light fish varieties. For this reason, some people prefer albacore over light for dishes that merit a milder flavor (like this No Stress Salad recipe).
Is albacore tuna better?
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.
Does white tuna have less mercury?
The agency’s white-tuna samples averaged 0.353 ppm; light tuna, 0.118 ppm. But we found that as much as 6 percent of the FDA’s light-tuna samples had at least as much mercury as the average in white tuna—in some cases more than twice as much.
Which fish has less mercury?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that to consume those higher amounts, children should only be fed fish from the “Best Choices” list that are even lower in mercury – these fish are anchovies, Atlantic mackerel, catfish, clams, crab, crawfish, flounder, haddock, mullet, oysters, plaice, pollock, salmon, …
Is salmon high in mercury?
Salmon is low in mercury. Both wild and farmed Atlantic salmon have much lower mercury levels than most other fish species. Farmed salmon has on average, 0.05 micrograms of mercury per gram.
What happens if you eat too much tuna?
If you eat more than the recommended amount, you could get mercury poisoning. High levels of mercury in tuna can have side effects. Symptoms of mercury poisoning include loss of coordination, memory problems, numbness, pain, problems with vision, seizures and tremors.
What is the safest kind of tuna?
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).
Which canned tuna is healthiest?
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.
How do you know if you have mercury in your body?
Mercury poisoning is diagnosed by testing your blood and urine for mercury levels. Urine might be collected over a 24-hour period. Your doctor will ask about the history of your possible exposure and may also monitor your temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and breathing.
