Superfood Tuna Salad

Pregnant with my middle daughter, Rosie, I craved exactly one food: Tuna. Knowing this was a wholesome choice, rich in the Omega-3 fats that are key for a baby’s developing brain, I indulged in tuna sandwiches on a regular basis throughout my pregnancy. It was shortly after her birth that I came to find out that tuna is a source of the neurotoxin mercury. I was stricken with guilt, afraid that I’d inadvertently harmed my sweet girl.  That worry stuck with me until just recently when I learned there is good news on the fish and mercury front. It was music to my ears.

That mercury is present in tuna, along with other varieties of fish, hasn’t changed. But nothing in the body works in a vacuum. Other factors play a role in the impact of mercury, most notably, the mineral selenium. It turns out that with enough selenium, the toxic potential of mercury can be ameliorated. And what is one of the biggest sources of selenium on the planet?

Fish.

Translation: eating fish with a high selenium to mercury ratio provides built-in protection against mercury. The chart below shows these ratios in a number of species. You’ll note that only two varieties have as much or more mercury than selenium.  The biggest offender? The Pilot Whale, which  I’d venture to guess is not a part of your regular diet.

If you want to learn more about this, I’ll turn you over to my friend Sally who WROTE A TERRIFIC EXPLANATION on Parents.com. It’s worth reading.

In the meantime, I’m off to make myself a tuna salmon salad. It makes a doubly nutritious superfood sandwich.

Won’t you join me?

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Tuna "Superfood" Salad

I call this a "superfood" sandwich because it's packed with tuna AND salmon, which together are a powerhouse of protein, omega-3 fats, and selenium. The combination of the fish along with capers, onions, and crunchy celery is a tasty one. Spoon it between slices of bread for a sandwich, or serve along with crackers, cut up vegetables, or pretzel thins for a satisfying snack.

Course Lunch, Snack

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Author Katie Morford

Ingredients

• One 5-ounce can tuna
• One 5- to 6-ounce can wild salmon
• 3 medium stalks celery, diced
• 2 tablespoons capers, lightly chopped
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 to 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt

Instructions

1. Empty the tuna and salmon into a medium bowl and break up with a fork. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until just combined. Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.