Tuna is a sea fish that can be cooked in a variety of ways, and is always healthy and tasty. But this is not the only advantage of the product. In addition to its excellent taste, tuna has many beneficial properties that are beneficial to human health. For example, tuna is recommended for dietary and sports nutrition.
However, this fish also has contraindications - it is categorically not recommended for some categories of people to use it. From the article you will learn what is the composition and calorie content of tuna, what are the benefits and possible harm of this fish.
Energy value (caloric content) of tuna
The energy value of tuna is average compared to other fish. The number of calories in a product depends on two factors:
- what part of the fish is taken;
- how the product will be prepared.
Fillet, steak or shavings are obtained from raw fish, and subsequently these parts, if necessary, are subjected to various methods of thermal or non-thermal treatment. You can cook tuna in different ways. This product can be boiled in a saucepan on the stove, baked in the oven, fried in a pan or grilled, or steamed. Dried, smoked (hot and cold smoked), fresh, salted, canned tuna (in oil, in their own juice) are used for food.
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What is the calorie content of the different parts of tuna?
Raw fish portion | Calories per 100 g | BZHU |
Steak | 131.3 kcal | 11.6 g protein, 2.9 g fat, no carbohydrates |
Shavings | 434 kcal | 81.2 g protein, 1.8 g fat, 0.6 g carbohydrates |
Fillet | 110 kcal | 23 g protein, 1.7 g fat, 0.2 g carbohydrates |
So, the most high-calorie tuna flakes, while the difference between fillet and steak is insignificant - only 19 kcal. Next, we will consider how the calorie content of the product differs depending on the method of processing it.
View | Calories per 100 g | BZHU |
Boiled (boiled) | 141.2 kcal | 22.9 g protein, 1.9 g fat, no carbohydrates |
Fried | 135.3 kcal | 21.9 g protein, 5.1 g fat, 0.1 g carbohydrates |
Baked in the oven | 162.5 kcal | 28.1 g protein, 5.6 g fat, 0.8 g carbohydrates |
Canned in oil | 188.4 kcal | 22.4 g protein, 9.9 g fat, no carbohydrates |
Canned in its own juice | 103.4 kcal | 22.2 g protein, 1.3 g fat, 0.1 g carbohydrates |
Smoked (cold smoked) | 138.2 kcal | 24.5 g protein, 4.4 g fat, no carbohydrates |
Smoked (hot smoked) | 135 kcal | 22.5 g protein, 0.7 g fat, no carbohydrates |
Grilled | 194.2 kcal | 21.3 g protein, 11.3 g fat, 0.6 g carbohydrates |
For a couple | 123 kcal | 22.7 g protein, 1.3 g fat, 0.5 g carbohydrates |
Fresh (raw) | 101 kcal | 23 g protein, 3 g fat, no carbohydrates |
Salty | 139 kcal | 24.5 g protein, 4.5 g fat, no carbohydrates |
Dried | 160.4 kcal | 34.4 g protein, 4 g fat, no carbohydrates |
Least high-calorie fresh tuna. Next comes canned fish in its own juice, while canned tuna in oil has much more calories.
For those who want to lose weight, steamed tuna is necessary, because it contains only 123 kcal. Consider these indicators before eating fish of one or another processing, especially if you follow the right diet.
Product chemical composition
The chemical composition of tuna is rich in many beneficial compounds. Tuna contains vitamins, macro- and microelements, amino acids, fatty acids and other biologically active substances. Also, the product contains water and ash. All compounds, individually and in combination, have a positive effect on the human body, which only enhances the beneficial effect on health.
What elements are included in fish
Group | Substances |
Vitamins | A (retinol, beta-carotene), B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (PP, niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid), B21 (cobalamin), D (ergocalciferol), E (tocopherol ) |
Macronutrients | potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chlorine, sulfur, phosphorus |
Trace elements | manganese, zinc, iron, iodine, cobalt, chromium, fluorine, copper, nickel, selenium, molybdenum |
Essential amino acids | tryptophan, isoleucine, valine, leucine, lysine, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine, histidine |
Essential amino acids | cystine, arginine, tyrosine, alanine, aspartic, glutamic, serine, proline, glycine |
Saturated fatty acids | myristic, capric, stearic, palmitic |
Unsaturated fatty acids | palmitoleic, oleic, timnodone, linoleic |
Sterols (sterols) | cholesterol (or cholesterol) |
Amino acid, vitamin, fatty acid composition of tuna is saturated. There are enough proteins, fats and other compounds in fish, even in 100 g, but there are practically no carbohydrates. Biologically active substances are in different types of tuna (boiled, steam, canned in their own juice, grilled), and the difference is only in their quantity in a particular dish.
The benefits of tuna
What are the health benefits of tuna? Thanks to the vitamin, mineral, amino acid and fatty acid composition of tuna, the body becomes strong, capable of withstanding many diseases and external irritants. Beneficial substances have a beneficial effect on almost all systems and organs.
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Now more about how the elements that make up tuna affect the body.
- Vitamin A. It is a natural antioxidant. The main function of the substance is to protect against infections and viruses. Vitamin A (or retinol) fights bacteria. It is also useful for vision: thanks to retinol, tension, fatigue go away from the eyes, the picture becomes clearer.
- B vitamins. They have a complex effect on the body as a whole. They are especially important for the immune, circulatory and nervous systems. These substances improve metabolism, affect mental activity, activate the brain, speed up metabolism. For example, vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is essential for the normal functioning of the nervous system. The lack of this substance is fraught with negative consequences - mental disorder, the development of multiple sclerosis. It is the B vitamins that give our body vigor, energize and improve the physical and mental state.
- Vitamin D. Calciferol is a complex of nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular, immune and endocrine systems. Vitamin D takes part in the work of the intestines and kidneys, contributes to the stable state of the muscular system. Diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cancers are what calciferol is against.
- Vitamin E. The substance affects the cardiovascular and circulatory systems. Thanks to vitamin E, blood clotting improves and blood vessels expand. Tocopherol acts on the skin, rejuvenating and restoring them. Well, if you are planning to conceive a child, vitamin E is an essential element.
- Macronutrients. They are important for the full functioning of the body. For example, potassium improves memory, brain function, stabilizes blood pressure, and strengthens the heart muscle. Potassium and phosphorus affect the functioning of the intestines, bone tissue, and kidneys. Phosphorus separately influences the teeth, strengthening them. Calcium and sulfur are needed for healthy hair, nails, and bones. Sulfur removes free radicals from the body and improves blood sugar levels.
- Microelements. The record holders for the amount of chromium, selenium and cobalt are here. What is their task? Cobalt takes part in hematopoiesis, cell renewal, elimination of bad cholesterol, slows down the aging of the skin. Thanks to cobalt, proteins, fats and carbohydrates are synthesized faster, and the endocrine system works smoothly. Chromium breaks down harmful cholesterol, promotes the synthesis of useful cholesterol, which has a positive effect on the heart and blood vessels. Chromium is a trace element that maintains the integrity of DNA, that is, it has a positive effect on heredity. Multiple sclerosis, stroke, obesity, gastritis - for all these diseases, chromium is prescribed. The viruses of hepatitis, herpes and tuberculosis are resisted by selenium. It also slows down the onset of menopause in women.
- Amino acids. They help vitamins and minerals to be better absorbed and to perform their strengthening, antiviral, restorative and other functions. Amino acids are essential for bones, nails, hair, ligaments, tendons, muscles. Thanks to these substances, heavy metals and radionuclides are removed from the body.
- Fatty acid. They are necessary as a prophylactic agent against cancer of the stomach, intestines, mouth, breast, ovaries, as well as against Alzheimer's disease, senile dementia. Fatty acids are beneficial for the brain and heart. These substances improve mood, reduce fatigue, and promote the production of serotonin.
Separately, it should be said about the benefits of tuna for men and women. This fish is rich in nutrients that stimulate male strength and promote muscle building.
Tuna is no less useful for women. The fish contains a lot of elements that have anti-aging and anti-stress properties.
So, the substances contained in tuna have a positive effect on the nervous, circulatory, digestive, cardiovascular, and immune systems. The compounds contained in fish are essential for healthy teeth, hair, nails, skin (slowing down their aging, recovery from wounds). There is a purification of toxins, metabolic processes are normalized.
That is, meat (fillet, steak) of tuna, liver, caviar are products recommended for mandatory consumption. Fresh (raw), canned in jars (better in its own juice, but it is possible in oil), boiled, steamed fish will bring great health benefits regardless of the type of tuna (mackerel, yellow-tailed, blue, striped, mackerel, ordinary and others).
Harm and contraindications for use
So that eating tuna does not harm your health, you need to eat a balanced diet and in no case overeat. No matter how many vitamins, minerals and biologically active beneficial elements are included in the fish, it will not be beneficial if the consumption standards are exceeded. In addition, it is important to consider that, like any other product, tuna has contraindications for use.
An important fact about tuna! In the course of life, this fish accumulates heavy metals in the body. Accordingly, the older the tuna, the more these harmful substances it contains. Mercury is the most dangerous for humans. If it gets into the body, it will lead not only to a weakening of immunity in general, but also to a number of other problems.
Basically, there are malfunctions in the nervous system (insomnia, headaches, neurasthenia, memory impairment), but the organs of the gastrointestinal tract also suffer (manifested in nausea, heaviness). That is, young fish are most suitable for eating. We recommend that you refuse to take huge age tuna in order to avoid health problems.
In other cases, tuna will not harm. But there are groups of people for whom this fish is contraindicated for consumption. Reception of canned food, fresh, fried, boiled tuna (fillet, steak) is prohibited:
- allergy sufferers;
- people with kidney dysfunction;
- pregnant women;
- children under three years old.
When choosing fish, be very careful. Be sure to adhere to the daily intake, which is 150-200 g. If your health deteriorates sharply after eating any kind of tuna, we recommend that you immediately consult a doctor.
Eating tuna for weight loss
Tuna for weight loss is really necessary. Why? The calorie content of fresh fish canned in its own juice and steamed is quite low (101, 103 and 123 kilocalories per 100 g, respectively), but that's not all. Tuna is considered a dietary product also because it contains a lot of proteins, much less fat, and carbohydrates in some parts are completely absent.
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Nutritionists have proven that on a diet of this fish, you can get rid of 3-5 extra pounds in less than a week. All this is due to the presence of a mass of nutrients in the product. During the diet, fewer calories enter the body. This makes the metabolism work faster, and as a result, energy is taken from body fat. As a result, excess weight loss. But what does it take to get what you want? Let's talk about everything in order.
Diet rules
Diet rules must be adhered to without fail. The tuna diet is an effective method for fast weight loss. Basically, it is calculated for 3 days, but there are other options. You can choose any. By the way, we recommend that you contact a reliable specialist so that he can help you make the right menu and get out of the diet correctly.
The last question is perhaps one of the most important. After the diet ends, you must continue to monitor your diet, eat right, excluding high-calorie foods with a lot of fat. Otherwise, all the results achieved will be crossed out and excess weight will be gained again.
So, what rules are we talking about:
- Eat exceptionally well, without being tempted by the prohibited foods listed below. For weight loss, you need fresh, boiled, stewed, baked or canned tuna in its own juice. Say no to fried fish.
- Don't forget about physical activity. They will help to consolidate the result, remove excess fat and build muscle mass. Pay attention to sports at least once a day for at least 30 minutes. Focus on exercises aimed at overall fat loss. Exercising for the cardiovascular system will be very beneficial. If you can't do it every day, do it every other day, increasing the duration of the workout to 1 hour. Only in combination with proper nutrition will physical exercise give results.
- There should be more than three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner). This option is not suitable for a diet. Distribute food so that you can eat it in small portions, but more often - five to six times a day. Be sure to have snacks. The point is to satisfy your hunger, but still get fewer calories.
- You need to drink a lot of water. The daily intake of fluid is 1.5-2 liters. This will speed up the detoxification of the body: toxins and toxins will be eliminated faster. The retention of fluid in the body will decrease, therefore, the problem with edema and cellulite will be solved.
Following these rules will help you achieve your goal of losing weight. All of them are interconnected, so you need to adhere to all recommendations at the same time. Only in this case will it really be possible to lose weight.
What you can and cannot eat
We will understand the issue of permitted and prohibited foods during the tuna diet.
Vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, bell peppers) and fruits (apples, citrus fruits, kiwi, plums) are an integral part of a losing weight diet. These products will make the food less monotonous, satisfy the feeling of hunger due to the dietary fiber in their composition. The use of bread is allowed, but only rye (black) or bran. Whole grain crisps are the best option here. Dried fruits (prunes, dried apricots) and legumes (green beans, peas) will also not be an obstacle to getting rid of excess weight.
Prohibited foods include the following: red meat, canned food (in addition to tuna, of course), white flour, sauces, flour products and other sweets, pickles, fried and fatty foods.
Be sure to give up carbonated (sweet and unsweetened) drinks, as well as alcohol. Salt and instant or natural coffee should also be avoided.We advise you to give up fast food and convenience foods not only for the duration of the diet, but forever.
Reviews of those who have resorted to the tuna diet are positive. The results will actually be so if you take the matter seriously and don't break the rules. In this case, it will be possible not only to get rid of excess weight, but also to enrich the body with useful substances, strengthening the immune system.
Tuna will not only bring gastronomic pleasure, but also bring great health benefits. However, do not overeat this tasty fish and find out in advance the existing contraindications to its use.