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Is tuna an oily fish or not?

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Is tuna an oily fish or not?

in Health & Beauty MoneySaving
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rbulphrbulph Forumite
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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.
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  • edited 5 January at 11:00AM
    p00hsticksp00hsticks Forumite
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    edited 5 January at 11:00AM
    My understanding has been that fresh tuna counts but tinned tuna doesn't, gonig from this  Guardian article from a couple of years ago.
    And here's an explanation as to why

  • Neil49Neil49 Forumite
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    I would say that the BBC website is out of date with regards to its facts.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
  • coffeehoundcoffeehound Forumite
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    Tuna intake should actually be limited as it contains more heavy metals
  • rbulphrbulph Forumite
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    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_2020Morrigan_2020 Forumite
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    You can get your omega 3 and 6 from nuts, seeds and algae sources, no need to eat fish at all. 
  • rbulphrbulph Forumite
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    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."?
  • edited 6 January at 7:50PM
    Morrigan_2020Morrigan_2020 Forumite
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    edited 6 January at 7:50PM
    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.


  • rbulphrbulph Forumite
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    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.
  • mamanmaman Forumite
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    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.😉
  • JedEastonJedEaston Forumite
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    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.
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