Eat a Tuna Fish Sandwich!

by Michael Sahno, MS APK, TSAC-F

I LOVE to eat fish. I live for it. Not just because of the healthy qualities that fish bring to the table, but because I LOVE everything about it. The taste, which if you’ve had a good piece of salmon, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. The different ways that you can prepare it, on a sandwich, in a bowl with rice, or lightly breaded and oven-fried. I also love the way that I feel afterward. I feel like I’m full and my body feels satisfied. Like it’s good and it doesn’t need anything else. Rarely have I felt that way after eating something.

This bring me to the “Old Reliable”. The tuna fish sandwich. One of the greatest concoctions ever conceived on this big blue marble. Two slices of bread. One can of tuna. Some mayo to hold it all together. And whatever spices you desire to bring your sandwich to life (I’m partial to Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and salt and pepper). How is it that something so simple can be such a nutrient bomb, ready to bring you everything that you need to get you through your day?

It all comes from the fish. More specifically, from the fats in the fish. The Omega 3’s.

Now, Omega 3’s. What are they? We’ve all heard about them in the news, on social media, and on the internet, but why does everyone keep telling you that you need them? Why are they SO important?

Well, according to WebMD’s article, Health Benefits of Tuna, “The high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in tuna fish may help to reduce the level of omega-6 fatty acids and LDL cholesterol that can accumulate inside the arteries of the heart.” They also go onto say, “Studies have shown that eating more omega-3 is associated with reduced rates of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks.”

It doesn’t stop there though, because they go on to say that, “Tuna is an excellent source of vitamin B12, an essential vitamin needed to make DNA. Vitamin B12 also helps you to form new red blood cells and prevent the development of anemia.”

Tuna is also an excellent source of Vitamin D and B6, Iron, Potassium, Selenium, and Iodine, and has been shown to prevent vision problems, reduce your risk of cancer and to help support weight loss.

It is for all of these reasons that I try to eat a tuna sandwich at least twice a week. I love them and I think you should too. Go on, go make one now. You’ll thank me for it later. Enjoy!