Is tuna an oily fish or not?

rbulph

The NHS says at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/fish-and-shellfish-nutrition/#:~:text=Oily%20fish%20contains%20long%2Dchain,long%2Dchain%20omega%2D3 "A healthy, balanced diet should include at least 2 portions of fish a week, including 1 of oily fish." and that "Fresh and canned tuna do not count as oily fish."
The BBC says at https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/sushi-healthy "Sushi can be a healthy choice, but it depends on the variety you order. Oily fish such as salmon and tuna contain omega-3, which is an essential fatty acid. The World Health Organisation recommends eating 1-2 portions of oily fish a week, so sushi can be a delicious way to reach these targets."
These seem to be in complete contradiction. Can I count tuna in sushi as part of my recommended oily fish portion or not? I've asked the NHS but haven't had a reply.
Thanks.

p00hsticks

My understanding has been that fresh tuna counts but tinned tuna doesn't, gonig from this  Guardian article from a couple of years ago.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/nov/09/oily-fish-two-portions-a-week-anchovies-pilchards-salmon-sardines-tuna-heart-brain-cancer-pollution

And here's an explanation as to why

https://metro.co.uk/2018/05/01/oily-fish-list-salmon-tuna-mackerel-count-oily-fish-7511476/

Neil49

I would say that the BBC website is out of date with regards to its facts.

It was announced a couple of years ago that tuna, both fresh and particularly canned, is no longer considered to be an oily fish

coffeehound

Tuna intake should actually be limited as it contains more heavy metals

rbulph

OK thanks. Pilchards, anchovies and sardines all disgust me. I like sashimi but it tends to be 50% salmon, 50% tuna, so not a lot a whole lot of salmon there. I guess I'd better eat more smoked salmon.

Morrigan_2020

You can get your omega 3 and 6 from nuts, seeds and algae sources, no need to eat fish at all. 

rbulph

Morrigan_2020 said:

You can get your omega 3 and 6 from nuts, seeds and algae sources, no need to eat fish at all. 

So why does the NHS say "A healthy, balanced diet should include at least 2 portions of fish a week, including 1 of oily fish."?

Morrigan_2020

rbulph said:

Morrigan_2020 said:

You can get your omega 3 and 6 from nuts, seeds and algae sources, no need to eat fish at all. 

So why does the NHS say "A healthy, balanced diet should include at least 2 portions of fish a week, including 1 of oily fish."?

It should say 'a healthy, balanced diet includes an adequate amount of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids' really.  Oily fish is just the way most people choose to get them.

rbulph

Morrigan_2020 said:

rbulph said:

Morrigan_2020 said:

You can get your omega 3 and 6 from nuts, seeds and algae sources, no need to eat fish at all. 

So why does the NHS say "A healthy, balanced diet should include at least 2 portions of fish a week, including 1 of oily fish."?

It should say 'a healthy, balanced diet includes an adequate amount of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids' really.  Oily fish is just the way most people choose to get them.

I love nuts, but unfortunately not really walnuts, which seem to be the main nut source of omega 3. I guess chia seeds are obtainable, although I've never eaten them. I don't think they look all that appealing really. I think it has to be smoked salmon for me.

maman

I quite like mackerel, either the  chilled fillets (smoked or peppered)  or tinned in mustard sauce. 

I like smoked salmon too😋 but, I believe, any salmon is rich in Omega 3 so you could just buy fillets or even tinned pink salmon which is quite good value. No fish is cheap but there are cheaper ways to get your Omega 3 than smoked salmon. This is a mse thread after all.😉

JedEaston

Tuna was recommended by my nutritionist as one of the healthiest low-fat fish. He made me a menu for weight loss. That's why I always thought it wasn't oily. Now I read that it has a high concentration of heavy metals, and I'm a little confused. 

Anyway, I wouldn't consider tuna in sushi a portion of oily fish.