How many carbs in canned tuna in oil?

Ah, canned tuna in oil. A versatile ingredient for so many meals, from sandwiches to salads and everything in between. But have you ever stopped to wonder how many carbs are lurking inside that can? Fear not my hungry friends! I’ve delved into this tuna tin conundrum and emerged with answers beyond your wildest dreams (or maybe just cravings).

First things first: what even are carbs?

Before we sift through the carb content of canned tuna, let’s chat about what makes up a carbohydrate. Put simply, carbs are one of three macronutrients (alongside protein and fat) that serve as the body’s primary source of energy[1]. So while you may envision carbohydrates as bread or pasta alone, they can also crop up in less obvious places like fruits and vegetables.

What goes into canned tuna?

A lot more than just fish! While different brands may use slightly different recipes or methods for packing their tins, most versions contain these components:

  • Tuna (duh)
  • Oil
  • Salt

Some varieties may include additional ingredients like water or various seasonings.

Checkin’ on those macros

Now onto the question at hand: how many carbs are actually appearing within our go-to canned tuna options?

The answer is somewhat dependent upon which type you grab off store shelves; there are two popular forms –

Carb count for Tuna Packed in Oil

Brand/Type Serving Size (g) Carbohydrate Grams(g)
StarKist Chunk White Albacore 56g 0
Chicken Of The Sea Solid Skipjack Light Tuna In Soybean Oil 52g 0
Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore 56g 0

As you can see, these options contain absolutely no carbs! (Cue the celebratory dance party.) But that’s not the full story…

Carb count for Tuna Packed in Water

Hold onto your hat- it’s zero grams again!

Yes indeed, water-packed canned tuna also contains an extremely low carb content:

Brand/Type Serving Size (g) Carbohydrate Grams(g)
StarKist Chunk Light 50g 0
Chicken of the Sea Light Tuna In Water 47g

So why do some folks claim to rack up many more carbs per can of tuna?

It all adds up

While straight-up canned tuna itself may clock in as a carb-free food, serving suggestions or add-ins can pile on those sneaky nutrients.

For instance, if you whip together some mayo and mustard to create a tasty base for your sandwich filling or salad topping…well, both mayo and mustard typically harbor at least small quantities of carbohydrates[2].

Likewise with bread – two slices alone could reach around thirty carbohydrates [3], which will quickly sneakily boost your total carb consumption. And let’s try not even thinking about adding olives or capers that might have been packed in brine.

The ultimate point? Keep track of “hidden” sources of carbs when incorporating canned tuna into mealtime creations.

One thing is clear

With most types containing close to zilch regarding carbohydrates, there’s a very good chance that canned tuna can remain your trusty low-carb pantry staple for years to come.

Whether you favor oil-packed or water-packed varieties may depend upon your taste buds’ desires (as well as some potential nutritional advantages/disadvantages), but both offer downright minuscule carb counts.

Now excuse me while I go dig out my can opener…

\ [1] "What Are Carbs?" Verywell Fit. 
     https://www.verywellfit.com/what-are-carbohydrates-or-carbs-2242214

\ [2] "Carb Counts for Common Foods." Verywell Fit.
    https://www.verywellfit.com/carb-counts-for-common-foods-2242193

\ [3] "How Many Carbs are in Sliced Sandwich Bread?" Livestrong.
   https://www.livestrong.com/article/306471-how-many-carbs-are-in-sliced-sandwich-bread/

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