Too Much Tuna Bad for You
Written by Diet Bites
Too Much Tuna While Dieting, Not a Good Idea
Do you find a trail of cats following you down the streets these days? On a diet again, eh? Tuna, tuna, and more tuna, right?
If your diet is sounding sounds a little bit fishy perhaps it's time to open up a new can of worms....
Why? Your weight loss plan needs a change from this fishy dish - but not only because eating the same foods over and over can become boring.
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Mercury Concerns
Fact is, almost all fish contain mercury - some more than others. And the larger the fish, generally the more mercury contained within the serving size as it reaches your meal plate.
Mercury can prove harmful to the unborn as well as to developing children, impacting their nervous system. This is why the FDA recommends that some species be either limited or avoided during pregnancy. The same guidelines apply to developing children.
Developing Children, Pregnant & Lactating Women Should Avoid These Fish
Shark
Swordfish
King Mackerel
Tilefish
All of these fish are exceptional high in mercury content.
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Fish Lower in Methylmercury Content
Up to 12 ounces of other fish which are lower in mercury content can be consumed weekly. That averages out to about 2 meals. These include shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish.
Children will require much less - so ask your doctor for the specific amounts recommended for your child.
Albacore tuna contains more mercury than canned light tuna, so only 6 ounces of Albacore are recommended weekly by the FDA.
If fish is harvested from local lakes, the weekly guidelines decrease to 6 ounces total per week.
Fish sticks are generally prepared with specimens that are low in mercury, but still should be monitored in the diet.
Health Notes, Tips for Dieters Involving Fish
Fish is one of the foods lowest in calories and fat - a dieter's dream. Well, almost. If you'd like to hear the downside of Toxic Tuna, view here. But for now, we'll focus on our fishy diet.
Actually, fish has a lot in common with eggs. They are both proteins, but their relationship is actually much cozier. Dieters seem to love to fill their diets with fish and eggs.
And although these goodies are fine in moderation, the day-in and day-out fish & egg menu gets old. In fact, it's actually where the words, 'Sorry, Charlie' originated....
When Too Much Tuna Becomes Unappetizing
Meg had been feasting on a fish diet for two weeks straight and when she opened up a can of light tuna for lunch, she found that she just couldn't do another can, so she eased out, "Sorry, Charlie," which happened to be overheard by a smart tuna marketing person. Tender little story, isn't it?
One of the reasons that dieters choose fish and eggs is because they feel comfortable with them - in that they know they are low in calories and make a pretty awesome diet choice.
One can dine on a very large slab of grilled fish compared to a tiny round of steak.
Or one can dine on FOUR small boiled eggs compared to one candy bar.
So by far, fish and eggs make a couple of the most popular protein choices for people when dieting - if only we could discountthe cholesterol factor. The body can only absorb so many 'healthy Omega 3's'.
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Other Proteins for Dieters
Due to the excessive volume of cholesterol milligrams in combination with methylmercury concerns, these foods must be used in moderation to avoid future health problems.
Therefore, let's investigate a few other protein alternatives when dieting - some of which need to also be used in moderation. Remember: a good diet is one filled with variety.
Beans, legumes - whatever you wish to call these tasty pods, they'll fill your diet with hearty goodness. As beans tend to be gassy, you may wish to check out some Beano next time you visit your local market or you may be hearing some unwanted music.
On that note, is it just me or do people flat out pass gas in the stores these days? It seems that every time that I go to the market lately, I innocently walk into a wall of invisible flames.
And I usually hear a grocery basket rapidly racing away - the tires of the cart burning rubber before I see it turning the corner while I am left in the silent, but deadly, stench.
And with the rotten luck that I have, a sweet little old lady or gentleman will generally round the corner, take a whiff - and then give me the evil eye. In this situation I want to say, "Hey - it's not mine."
Oh well - back on to the Beanery....
Tips for Proteins While Dieting
* There are so many varieties of beans to 'pick' from: black, navy, kidney, garbanzo, great northern, pinto, lima, green beans - and the list goes on!
* All beans tend to be extremely filling, but of the ones we've listed, fresh green beans served with a wedge of cornbread make an excellent choice!
Lighter, Lower Calorie Cooking Methods for Proteins
* You can steam your green beans, or boil them.
* Don't be afraid to add a slice of raw bacon for seasoning. A measly 30 calories or so isn't going to blow your weight loss plan, particularly if it's distributed throughout the large pot or the can of beans.
* And DO remember to use the refrigerated no-calorie butter spray rather than the real deal or a reduced fat margarine. It's only during diet-time! You can do this!!
* A couple of freshly peeled 'new potatoes' OR canned 'new potatoes' may be another option that you'd enjoy.
Another great thing about beans is that you can steam them as suggested above, or boil them, bake them, stir fry them, crockpot them and so forth.
Peanut & Other Nut Butters, High in Protein But Also High in Fatty Acids
Peanut butter - Though high in fat and calories, peanut butter will definitely stick to your ribs. A serving generally contains about 190 calories and is about the size of a golf ball.
Try mixing about 150 calories-worth with a few packs of Equal or Splenda, then spreading it on fresh bread (70 calories each slice). Place one-half of a sliced banana inside your sandwich with a couple of Tablespoons of whipped topping - the 15 calories for 2 Tablespoons variety.
You'll have a sandwich that contains about 350 calories but it will carry you through the afternoon without the hungries. Or, enjoy it for breakfast!
Cheese, Good Option for a Healthy Diet When Low Fat
Cheese - We all know that cheese has more fat than protein AND is in the Dairy Family AND it's considered taboo for anyone dieting - but not at Diet Bites! One ounce of most cheeses contain about 100 calories and 8 grams of fat. Your best diet choice for REAL cheese is skim Mozzarella - bold taste, smaller calories/fat - about 70 calories per ounce.
Try enjoying a plate of fresh fruit with a couple of ounces of thinly sliced cheese for lunch or dinner. Toss a few of your favorite crackers on the plate, too. A fabulous mix is 1/2 a sliced apple, 2 ounces of cheese, 1 cup of sliced strawberries, a kiwi, and a few grapes from the vine.
Even the Protein Bacon Can Be Part of a Healthy Diet Plan
Bacon - What is this? Cheese? Bacon? How dare we recommend these evils on a diet, right?
Rest easy because YES, you can have bacon while dieting. Microwaving will save you even more calories and fat than the frying method. Three medium slices contain about 100 calories.
Toast a couple of slices of bread (70 calories each), spread a bit of LIGHT Miracle Whip onto the bread, then top with the bacon, a few slices of tomato (vine-ripened tastes best!) and lettuce. For about 275 calories, you've got a sandwich fit for a king.
French's has a product called, "GourMayo" that's divine. The 'sun dried tomato' version contains 50 calories per Tablespoon with 5 grams of fat. The total fat calories are 45 - eeek!
Therefore, you may wish to add HALF the recommended amount. You'll be surprised how far a Teaspoon will go and the recipe is extremely tasty, so you need less anyway. There is also a roasted pepper version - and Chipotle.
Some other great mentionables that you might like to consider for your main meal entree include baked potato and tasty soups.
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