Tuna has been a staple in diets around the world for centuries. In fact, a recent discovery found the remains of a 42,000-year-old tuna dinner in a cave in Australia!
Tuna has many advantages. First of all, almost everyone likes the mild and pleasant taste of tuna. 88% of households serve tuna; about half of these serve it at least monthly, and 17% serve tuna at least once a week. Tuna is the second-most popular seafood in North America, trumped only by shrimp.
Tuna's also incredibly versatile, able to take centre stage as one of the world's most popular sandwich fillings, as the protein in a green salad, on a cracker as a zesty appetizer, or as an elegant tuna steak entrée.
Tuna has many health benefits, including the fact that it's a very lean protein source, with almost no fat. Most tuna weighs in at less than 300 calories per can, and a whole meal can be built around that quantity of tuna. In contrast, many other animal sources of protein contain high percentages of fat. Tuna also contains vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 essential fatty acids, which help to prevent heart disease and many other disorders.
As well, tuna is economical, with varieties of canned tuna or foil-packed tuna steaks available everywhere at a fraction of the cost of most meats.
Finally, there are hundreds of excellent recipes that use tuna as a starting point. Many of these are also easy and quick to prepare. Options may surprise you: Spicy Tuna Kofta, Creamy Tuna And Spinach Stromboli, Speedy Thai Tuna Tacos, Dill and Lemon Tuna Frittata, Tuna Moussaka. Tuna recipes with an emphasis on fun, a variety of international tastes, and designed for maximum health can make your mealtime tunarrific!