Tuna is often used for weight loss because... This is a low-calorie product: 100 g contains 101 kcal. Fish contains little fat but is rich in protein. Dishes prepared on its basis are used to combat excess weight. Tuna in its own juice contains even fewer calories, so this product is most often included in the diet menu.
Composition and beneficial properties of tuna
A large number of useful substances contained in fish have a beneficial effect on the body. The most valuable component is polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6, which bring great benefits to the cardiovascular system, improve brain function and the appearance of the skin. Meat is rich in vitamins, amino acids, macro- and microelements, thanks to which the musculoskeletal and immune systems are strengthened.
Tuna contains:
- proteins, fats;
- B vitamins;
- macroelements: calcium, potassium, chlorine, phosphorus, sulfur, sodium, magnesium;
- trace elements: - iodine, iron, zinc, chromium, fluorine, nickel, copper, manganese, cobalt;
- sterols: Omega-3 fatty acids, cholesterol;
- saturated fatty acids.
Due to the large amount of protein, tuna is included in the diet. Anyone who wants to lose weight in the stomach and other problem areas should use this product every day.
Fish contains iodine, so its regular inclusion in the diet helps prevent the development of thyroid diseases caused by a lack of this element. In addition, weakness, impotence, and chronic fatigue, which are the first signs of iodine deficiency, disappear.
Macro- and microelements, as well as B vitamins, have a positive effect on the condition of nails, hair and skin. Fatty acids and some minerals have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. Regular consumption of tuna helps reduce the risk of heart disease.
Such fish is considered a safe and environmentally friendly product, since its meat is rarely susceptible to infection and parasites. But you should still eat it after special processing.
Tuna is often included in the diet to prevent cancer, because... Scientists have proven that regular consumption of meat reduces the likelihood of tumors.
The rich composition of fish has a positive effect on the nervous system. Dishes based on it lift your spirits and give you a charge of vivacity. The use of such a product increases resistance to stress, since nervousness and stress become the causes of the development of many serious diseases.
Including fish in your diet can normalize blood sugar levels and reduce cholesterol. Tuna is used as a preventative against arthrosis and arthritis. Its meat reduces pain in joint diseases.
Methods of consumption and calorie content
Tuna is used to prepare a variety of dishes: it is baked, fried, fillet pates, appetizers, salads, and soups are made.
The most popular canned tuna around the world is in oil or in its own juice. This product preserves as much as possible all the beneficial substances of fresh fish: fatty acids, vitamins, macro- and microelements, and is also practically free of carbohydrates, cholesterol and saturated fats.
The canned product is especially valuable because after catching this fish must be quickly processed or frozen, otherwise histamine begins to accumulate in it. This hormone in the active phase provokes various allergic reactions. If this condition is not met or violations are allowed in the processing technology, tuna, instead of being beneficial, can cause harm to the body. Canning helps to successfully solve this problem.
When asked whether tuna is considered a fatty fish, the answer is that the product is a moderately fatty variety. Its value as a dietary food is that it is low in calories. 100 g of fresh fish contains only 101 kcal and from 1 to 6 g of fat, depending on the variety.
The calorie content of dishes made from this fish depends on the method of preparation:
Tuna dish | Number of calories (per 100 g) |
Canned (in own juice) | 96 |
Canned (in oil) | 232 |
Fried | 133 |
Baked in the oven | 108 |
Salad with vegetables | 97 |
Egg salad | 72 |
Canned tuna in its own juice is the most popular all over the world, since a variety of nutritious, including dietary dishes, are prepared from this least calorie fish product.
The benefits of dieting
By eating tuna during a diet, you can lose up to 2 kg of excess weight in 3 days, because... it contains few calories. During these days, fish should be consumed every day. This product is rich in protein, which improves body functions and builds muscle tissue, but does not add fat to the body.
With such a nutrition system, you need to drink 1.5–2 liters of liquid. This could be non-carbonated mineral water and green tea. During this technique, tuna is consumed fresh or canned, it is used for snacks and salads.
What does tuna look like and where is it found?
Tunas are seven species of oceanic fish that make up the genus Thunnus and are of great commercial value. They can differ significantly from each other. The description of tuna can be imagined as follows: their carcasses are rounded, tapering towards a tail section forked by a crescent. They have a color from dark on top to silvery below.
Another noticeable feature of the species is that the subcutaneous blood vessels have a developed network, representing a unique temperature regulator, which is necessary to maintain it above the environment due to the slow swimming mode.
Tuna is a migratory species that can travel across thousands of kilometers of ocean throughout its life. It is mined in various regions around the world. Today, it is mined in more than 70 countries, including the USA, Japan and Spain.
Tuna is found in all ocean waters except polar waters, but most of the world's catch comes from the Pacific Ocean, which accounts for about 66 percent.
Tuna Diet
During the tuna diet, it is important to maintain proper nutrition to effectively lose weight. It is recommended to serve fish with side dishes of steamed, boiled or fresh vegetables. The most useful are zucchini, beets, cabbage, carrots, legumes, spinach, celery, asparagus, bell peppers, cucumbers, and herbs. This product goes well with brown rice seasoned with soy sauce.
Tuna goes well with vegetables and herbs
The menu includes lean poultry, seafood, eggs, cereals, whole grain bread, low-fat dairy and fermented milk products. Drinks allowed include fruit and vegetable juices, jelly, fresh juices, nectars, smoothies, berry fruit drinks, plain water, rosehip decoction, herbal and green tea.
During the tuna diet, you should avoid the following foods:
- bakery;
- smoked meats;
- fried and fatty foods;
- marinades, gravy, dressings;
- mayonnaise, sauces;
- spread;
- pasta;
- pickles, marinades;
- fast food;
- sweets;
- sweet fruits - persimmon, melon, dates, grapes, figs, bananas.
The fish diet should last 3 days. As a result, during this period you can lose 1–2 kg.
Sample menu for 3 days:
- Breakfast: boiled egg, 100 g cottage cheese, 200 g low-fat yogurt, green tea.
- Snack: 200 g of steamed or boiled fish, orange.
- Lunch: 250 g fish fillet, sprinkled with lemon juice, salad of sweet pepper, cucumber, cauliflower and green beans, seasoned with olive oil. 30 minutes before lunch you should drink a glass of herbal tea or plain water.
- Dinner: consists of the same food that was at lunch, only in this case you can replace tuna with seafood, and instead of salad, cook rice with saffron.
The combination of tuna and eggs is a real protein bomb for the body.
Before going to bed, it is recommended to drink a glass of low-fat kefir. This menu is repeated for 3 days.
There is also a longer version of the fish diet, which lasts a week. In this case, you can lose 3–4 kg in 7 days. At the same time, you need to exercise and drink enough water. Between lunch and dinner you are allowed to snack on 150 g of berries or unsweetened fruits.
A sample menu for 7 days is as follows.
Monday:
- Breakfast: 150 g of boiled or steamed tuna, Chinese cabbage with watercress leaves, green tea.
- Lunch: vegetable puree soup with bell peppers, broccoli and celery, a portion of brown rice with pieces of tuna.
- Dinner: 150 g of boiled squid, Korean carrot and kelp salad, whole grain toast, herbal infusion.
Tuesday:
- Breakfast: stewed flounder, cauliflower, orange juice.
- Lunch: pickle soup with rice, steamed tuna cutlets, a piece of whole grain bread.
- Dinner: 200 g of tuna in its own juice, a piece of whole grain bread, a handful of nuts, herbal decoction.
Wednesday:
- Breakfast: a sandwich of bell peppers, lettuce and lightly salted salmon, green tea.
- Lunch: lean green borscht, to which add chopped boiled egg, steamed tuna.
- Dinner: 300 g of shrimp with spices, watercress leaves, fresh apple juice.
Tuna soup - a nutritious lunch dish
Thursday:
- Breakfast: 150 g of boiled tuna, 1 cucumber, a piece of bread, herbal decoction.
- Lunch: rich fish soup with pieces of red fish, chicken egg, watercress leaves.
- Dinner: boiled squid with pineapple, a piece of bread, tangerine juice.
Friday:
- Breakfast: 150 g of steamed cod, a piece of whole grain bread, green vegetable salad, green tea.
- Lunch: vegetable soup, a portion of brown rice with saffron, pieces of flounder fillet.
- Dinner: boiled mussels with basil, celery stalks, garlic, a piece of bread, berry juice.
Saturday:
- Breakfast: 2 rye flour pancakes with red caviar, green tea.
- Lunch: fish soup, baked tuna with lemon, kelp, Korean carrot salad.
- Dinner: steamed fish cutlets, stewed carrots with zucchini, berry jelly.
Sunday:
- Breakfast: boiled catfish with celery root and ginger, fresh citrus juice.
- Lunch: green lean borscht, chicken egg, piece of boiled tuna, piece of bread.
- Dinner: 200 g of shrimp, vegetable salad with olive oil, a piece of bread, herbal decoction.
Fresh tuna is best boiled
Efficiency in losing weight
The effectiveness of using tuna for weight loss lies in the fact that it is a low-calorie product. Thanks to the high content of Omega-3 fatty acids in fish, the body functions properly and receives enough energy for the whole day. This nutritional system includes the consumption of other healthy foods, including vegetables and fruits. They are nutritious and make it easier to endure a strict three-day diet.
The reason for the effectiveness of the tuna weight loss technique is that this product contains little fat (0.8% per 100 g). Moreover, these fats are unsaturated, i.e., considered healthy. Such food contains a lot of protein (28% per 100 g), which does not allow fat to be deposited in the body.
A tuna nutrition system will help you lose weight if you adhere to the following rules:
- You should exercise regularly. Every day you need to spend 30 minutes on this. If you can’t do this every day, then you can go to the gym 3-5 days a week and train for about an hour, which allows you to burn extra calories.
- You need to drink 2 liters of water. This allows you to remove toxins from the body and reduce fluid retention, which causes swelling.
- Fruits and vegetables should be eaten without restrictions. Tuna goes well with them. As a result, the body is saturated with essential nutrients. Vegetables and fruits reduce appetite because they contain large amounts of fiber.
- It is recommended to eat 5-6 times a day. Dividing food into smaller portions reduces cravings between meals.
They drink tea without sugar, and use any vegetables for salad.
Chemical composition of tuna
Tuna is a healthy and affordable source of omega-3 fatty acids that is a good addition to your diet. These substances are a type of polyunsaturated fat that can only be found in fish, nuts and seeds.
Health benefits are also provided by the content of vitamins, minerals and organic compounds. These include antioxidants and proteins, and the fish does not contain highly saturated fat or sodium. It also has impressive levels of selenium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and potassium. As for vitamins, there is a good amount of vitamin B12 and niacin, as well as good B6 and riboflavin.
Contraindications and possible harm
Tuna causes minimal harm to health. Like any fish, it can accumulate mercury. Poisoning with such a substance causes the following symptoms: convulsions, numbness, problems with memory and vision. When including canned tuna in your diet, you need to consider how much salt and sodium it contains. To minimize harm, you should use fish in its own juice during the diet and be sure to wash it before adding it to the dish.
This product is contraindicated in the following cases:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- renal failure;
- allergy to this fish;
- children under 3 years of age.
Canned tuna, what's in the can?
Tuna is a general term. This is a group of marine fish from the mackerel family. The name comes from the ancient Greek word thyno, which means “throw/throw.”
Of the more than a dozen species of tuna, three varieties are typically sent to the cannery: albacore (whitefin), skipjack (aku, bonito or skipjack) and yellowtail (yellowfin).
Typically, if canned food is made abroad and the label says premium, gourmet or tonno, then it is canned yellowfin tuna. The fish is distinguished by its light color and dense structure of tender and juicy meat; has a delicate, delicate taste, without sourness and a persistent fishy smell. In our country, yellowfin tuna is also readily used for preparing canned food; it is usually an expensive product - most often in glass jars, where large and beautiful pieces of canned fish are clearly visible.
Recipes
There are many recipes for preparing tuna dishes that are used in proper nutrition.
Diet salad
This dish is well suited for those losing weight who want to quickly lose weight. Diet tuna salads are low-calorie, healthy, tasty, light and nutritious.
The following components will be required:
- tuna - 200 g;
- lettuce - 1 bunch;
- tomatoes - 3 pcs.;
- green onions - 50 g;
- olive oil - 1 tbsp. l.;
- lemon - quarter;
- soy sauce - 1 tbsp. l.
The lettuce leaves are washed, torn into small pieces by hand and placed on a dish. Tomatoes are cut into large slices and placed on torn leaves. The fish is boiled, cut into large pieces and placed on top. Mix olive oil and lemon juice, add soy sauce and season the salad. The finished dish is decorated with finely chopped onions.
With egg
For this salad you will need the following ingredients:
- tuna - 200 g;
- chicken eggs - 3 pcs.;
- low-fat natural yogurt - 50 ml;
- onions - 1 pc.;
- fresh cucumber - 1 pc.;
- greens (onion, dill) - 50 g.
The fish is boiled and cut into small slices, boiled eggs and cucumber are cut into cubes, and onions are cut into half rings. Season with yogurt, mix, place on a dish and decorate with herbs.
Exotic
For this salad you will need:
- canned tuna - 1 can;
- eggs - 2 pcs.;
- banana - 1 pc.;
- grapefruit - 2 pcs.;
- yogurt - 100 ml;
- lemon juice - 2 tbsp. l.;
- ground black pepper - 1 tsp;
- salt - 0.5 tsp.
The banana is peeled, cut into cubes and sprinkled with lemon juice. The grapefruit's skin and white partitions are removed and cut into cubes. Boiled eggs are cut in the same way. Mash the tuna into large pieces with a fork. Pepper and salt are added to the yogurt. Mix all ingredients and season with yogurt.
Mediterranean
For this dish you will need the following ingredients:
- canned tuna - 100 g;
- green salad leaves - 50 g;
- boiled egg - 1 pc.;
- tomatoes - 2 pcs.;
- lemon - half;
- cheese - 30 g;
- olive oil - 2 tbsp. l.;
- salt and ground black pepper - to taste.
Salad leaves are washed, dried, torn by hand and placed on a plate. The tuna is cut into small pieces and placed on leaves. The egg is cut into 6–8 pieces, and the tomato into slices. Place them on the salad and add grated cheese. Mix olive oil and lemon juice and pour the resulting dressing over the dish, salt and pepper.
How to cook delicious tuna
With a little creativity in the kitchen, you can enjoy the benefits of tuna in a varied diet. You can toss salsa over pieces of canned fish and then use the mixture as a taco or salad topping.
It is recommended to add tuna as an alternative food to various casseroles to increase the nutritional content of the food. Eating a piece of fish steak with brown rice on the side will give your body a lot of healthy protein and fiber. And if you cook it with spinach, you can cover the body’s daily need for vitamins and minerals.
Advice! If possible, you should eat boiled tuna, which you can eat even at night. This may seem a little boring to some, but with good herbs and spices, it is quite possible to create great-tasting food.
Seared Tuna Recipe
As noted above, the healthiest tuna dish is steak. For a simple recipe you will need:
- 2 fish steaks,
- 1 tsp. kosher salt,
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper,
- 2 tbsp. l. olive oil,
- 1 tsp. black pepper
First, grate the tuna with salt and cayenne pepper. After this, the oil is heated in a frying pan over moderate heat. Place cayenne pepper in it and fry for five minutes. After this, place the fillet in the frying pan and fry for one and a half minutes on each side. An example of frying tuna fillets is given in the video.
Canned tuna salad
Canned tuna works best in salads. For the basic version you need:
- can of tuna in its own juice (180 grams), drain the water,
- 2 tbsp. l. minced celery,
- 2 tbsp. l. chopped red onion, soaked in cold water for 5 minutes and drained,
- 1 tsp. chopped leaf parsley,
- 1/3 cup homemade mayonnaise,
- 1 tbsp. l. grain mustard,
- freshly ground black pepper and freshly squeezed lemon juice (to taste).
In a small bowl, mash the tuna with a fork, then add celery, onion and parsley to it. Then you need to mix mayonnaise and mustard and season with pepper to taste, then pour the resulting dressing over the salad and stir. If desired, you can add lemon juice.
This salad can be very healthy. You can add any vegetables, boiled eggs and other products to it. This means that you will get a dish with dietary properties in many variations.
Reviews
Veronica, 46 years old, Arkhangelsk: “Several years ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The doctor recommended following a strict diet that limits the intake of fats and carbohydrates. For a long time I couldn’t find suitable food until a relative recommended tuna fillet. I boil it with spices and green vegetables. Not only did it help lower my blood sugar, but it also helped me lose a few pounds.”
Marina, 31 years old, Moscow: “I suffer from excess weight, so I tried many ways to lose weight. I recently found information that tuna works well for this. I bought fish in its own juice and use it to prepare low-calorie casseroles and salads. I also use this product for dinner. There is no feeling of hunger, and weight gradually decreases. I am pleased".
Is tuna good for diabetes and pancreatitis?
People suffering from diabetes can greatly benefit from eating tuna. Omega-3 acids help maintain normal insulin levels, which makes the patient's daily activities easier. Such properties mean that if you have diabetes, it is not only possible, but also necessary to eat.
The benefits of tuna pate are also obvious for pancreatitis. For this disease, a strict diet is prescribed, excluding any fatty foods. Since tuna contains very little fat, its benefits for those suffering from this disease are undeniable.
Advice! Drinking fluids increases the beneficial effects of tuna consumption. It is advisable to drink more water to maintain insulin levels.