Canned Tuna: You probably have a stack of them in your pantry ready to make a tasty tuna salad sandwich a crunchy Niçoise salad or a comforting tuna casserole. There are countless ways to jazz up the humble can of tuna making it a kitchen essential. This convenient source of lean protein is often eaten as part of a balanced diet. Tuna is considered a fairly healthy food containing beneficial vitamin D omega-3 fatty acids and protein even when added to fancier dishes. You may be wondering though whether canned tuna is considered a processed meat similar to products like bacon or sausage. The answer is yes.
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Is Canned Tuna Safe to Eat? Experts Weigh the Benefits of Eating Canned Fish | TIME
Processed meat is defined as meat that has been preserved in some way such as salting smoking or by adding chemical preservatives. Tuna is technically considered a meat that comes from the tuna fish and because it undergoes the process of canning where salt and ingredients such as oil stock water or spices are added it is a processed meat.
Processed meats however are a particularly foul-smelling category for many eaters as they often contain higher levels of potentially dangerous carcinogens which can increase your risk of cancer. Additionally the increased sodium content in many processed foods can be detrimental to cardiovascular health. But while the canning process preserves tuna and improves its flavor how processed is canned tuna? And does it still count as a good source of protein? Let’s take a look.
Although canned tuna is a processed food it is not as processed as meats such as sausage or deli meats which are often laced with nitrates to make them look pink and appetizing which increases their risk of cancer. Fortunately canned tuna does not contain nitrates and the canning process is actually relatively simple. The fish is steamed deboned and then canned with salt and oil or water. To prevent harmful bacteria from contaminating the tuna the canned fish is then cooked at high temperatures to kill any bacteria. These methods are essential for preserving the fish and keeping it edible for an extended period of time. Overall tuna remains a great budget-friendly source of lean protein with 25 grams of protein per 100 grams.
