Product review: A handy, healthy office lunch solution

Posted by: catherine in Saltomega-3healthy snackinghealthy eatingfood labellingfibrefat on Print PDF

catherine

tunabeans-smllAre you so busy at work that you can't even spare ten minutes to go out and buy lunch? Wouldn't it be great if there were something quick and easy you could grab; something you could keep in your desk drawer; something that doesn't need to be refrigerated and yet is healthy?

Well, I think I've just found it! I reckon it's one of the best healthy non-refrigerated lunch solutions for busy, working women (and let me tell you there aren't many - think of the boring grab-meals like crispbread with peanut butter , muesli bars or a bag of pretzels).

The healthier option? A 185g can of John West Tuna & Beans. It's like a tuna salad in can. There's tuna mixed with corn niblets, red kidney beans, tiny bits of capsicum and chilli. It's the sort of thing you'd whip up to go with a casual barbecue. Here's how I rate it.

 

Rating:

 

Taste   8/10

Not bad for a canned item but you have to like red kidney beans (luckily I do!) as that's the dominant flavour and texture. On its own, it's a tad blah. But think of the other ways you could eat it that would lift its flavour:

tunabeans_contents

  • Fill a wholemeal bread roll with it
  • Mix through cooked pasta or brown rice
  • Add to a baked potato

 

Nutrition   8/10

Pretty good. There's a nice dose of protein - 24g per can - and omega-3s thanks to the tuna. There's also plenty of fibre - 8g - due to the beans and corn. There's 13.5g fat from the sunflower oil which I guess is there as a dressing and it does make a pleasant addition. This may be too high for anyone on a diet looking for meals under 10g but you can't have everything!

The ingredients contain no nasties. See the ingredient list taken from the back of the label:


Tuna 36%, red capsicum 23%, sweet corn 13%, red kidney beans 12%, onion,
sunflower oil, water, salt, chilli, lime juice, thickener (xanthan gum), spices

It loses two points because of the added salt which puts it at a moderate level of 432mg per 100 grams which doesn't sound much until you see that one 185g can hits you with 799mg which is around one-third of your whole day's intake. Not good. Check out my advice on salt levels on food labels here. Or download my free Fact Sheet on the easiest ways to cut down on salt.

 

Convenience   10/10

Just pull back the ring-pull lid and it's ready to eat. There's even a cute little plastic fork included.

 

Have you tried it yet? What did you think about it?

 

  • Other similar convenient tuna packs to keep at work or home for a quick bite. Check out Greenseas, Seakist or another John West variation:

tuna_snack_packs_alternatives

 

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Comments (4)

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Thanks for the analysis Catherine. What a great standby to keep in the desk drawer - could save us all from the vending machine with its tempting potato chips and chocolate bars!!
Olwen Anderson , March 02, 2010 | url
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That's my aim Olwen. To keep everyone AWAY from the fast food places and vending machines! And if healthy easy options like this one are on hand, I know what I'd go for. Thanks for your comment. Catherine
Catherine Saxelby , March 18, 2010
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I like the sound of that one, thanks Catherine, and it's also gluten free. Perhaps if one could add a squeeze of lemon juice (even from a bottle?) it would improve the flavour and counter some of the sodium with the added potassium? I'm a 3rd year N&D student now, doing well, and love reading your site - many thanks. Regards, Sally.
Sally , June 19, 2010
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Glad you like it Sally. Would be handy to throw in the satchel for an easy healthy Uni lunch or snack. Nice to meet up with someone studying nutrition and doing well at it! We need more like you! And good idea with the lemon juice to add flavour and counter some of the sodium. Hadn't thought of that. All good wishes Catherine
Catherine Saxelby , June 19, 2010

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