Is canned tuna high in protein?

Per calorie, canned tuna ranks #3 of 536 everyday foods in the USDA data Imi uses, with 22.6 g of protein per 100 calories. Foods with about 10 g or more per 100 calories are very protein-dense.

How many calories are in canned tuna?

3 oz (85 g) has about 73 calories, with 0.9 g of fat and 0 g of carbohydrate, per USDA FoodData Central.

How much protein is in canned tuna? 16.5 g per 3 oz

Q: How much protein is in canned tuna?

3 oz (85 g) of canned tuna has 16.5 g of protein and 73 calories: about 22.6 g of protein per 100 calories, which is very high.

At a glance

16.5 g protein and 73 calories per 3 oz (85 g).
22.6 g protein per 100 calories: #3 of 536 foods in our USDA list, #3 of 46 in fish & seafood.
0 g fiber and 210 mg sodium per serving.

What is canned tuna like to eat?

Canned tuna is cooked tuna packed in water or oil, ready to eat straight from the can. It is a pantry staple for quick lunches and needs no cooking, which makes it useful on days when you want protein with almost no effort.

How can you eat more canned tuna?

Try this

Mix with Greek yogurt and mustard for tuna saladToss with white beans, lemon and parsleyFold into a pasta salad with vegetablesSpoon onto crackers or cucumber slices

Is canned tuna good on a GLP-1?

A few spoonfuls on crackers is a small, cold option that needs no cooking, and mixing it with something creamy can make it easier to eat. Protein density matters more when your appetite is small: see protein on a GLP-1.

How does canned tuna compare?

Food	Serving	Protein	Calories	Protein per 100 kcal
Canned tuna	3 oz	16.5 g	73	22.6 g
Salmon	3 oz	18.8 g	175	10.7 g
Sardines	3 oz	20.9 g	177	11.8 g
Chicken breast	3 oz	26.4 g	140	18.8 g

Close to canned tuna per calorie: shrimp (24.2 g), cod (21.7 g), mahi mahi (21.7 g).

Compare more foods with the protein finder, or see protein in every food we cover.

What should you look for when you buy it?

Light tuna and albacore are different species, so compare labels, and look for "no salt added" or packed in water if that suits you.

What's the full nutrition for canned tuna?

Nutrient	Per 3 oz (85 g)	Per 100 g	% Daily Value
Calories	73	86
Protein	16.5 g	19.4 g	33%
Fat	0.9 g	1 g
Saturated fat	0.2 g	0.2 g	1%
Carbohydrate	0 g	0 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g	0%
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Sodium	210 mg	247 mg	9%
Calcium	14 mg	17 mg	1%
Iron	1.4 mg	1.63 mg	8%
Vitamin B12	2.2 mcg	2.55 mcg	92%
Vitamin D	1 mcg	1.2 mcg	5%

USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy: "Fish, tuna, light, canned in water, drained solids (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program)". % Daily Value uses the FDA's values for adults (protein 50 g, fiber 28 g, sodium 2,300 mg). "Not listed" means USDA didn't measure it for this food, not that it's zero. Brands differ, so check your label.

General education about food, not medical advice. If you have kidney disease or another condition that affects protein, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about your own needs.

Sources (3)