Salmon vs Tuna

Side-by-side nutrition breakdown per serving.

🏆
Tuna wins on protein density(22.6 vs 10.7)

Nutrition Comparison

Compared using standard USDA serving sizes. Protein Density Score normalizes per 100 calories for a fair efficiency comparison.

MetricSalmonTuna🏆 Winner
Protein (per serving)18.8g16.5g🐟 Salmon
Calories (per serving)175.173.1🐟 Tuna
Fiber (per serving)0g0g
Fat (per serving)10.5g0.8g🐟 Tuna
Protein Density Score?10.722.6🐟 Tuna
Serving Size3 oz cooked salmon (85 g)3 oz canned tuna (85 g)
Calories for 30g Protein279133🐟 Tuna

How much for 30g protein?

🐟

Salmon

1.6 oz (136g)

= 30g protein (279 cal)

🐟

Tuna

1.8 oz (155g)

= 30g protein (133 cal)

Which Should You Choose?

🐟Choose Salmon if you want:

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Salmon has 3-4x more omega-3s than tuna, supporting heart and brain health.

Mercury Concerns

Salmon has much lower mercury levels than tuna, especially albacore.

🐟Choose Tuna if you want:

Low-Fat High-Protein

Tuna delivers more protein with minimal fat and calories.

Budget-Friendly

Canned tuna is significantly cheaper than fresh salmon.

Meal Prep Convenience

Canned tuna requires no cooking and stores easily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Salmon has far higher omega-3 fatty acids, making it a better choice for heart-health benefits. The difference is significant.

Tuna provides more protein per calorie (22.4 vs 10.7 protein density). Salmon supplies additional healthy fats. Choose based on your macronutrient goals.

Variety is recommended. Incorporate both but limit high-mercury tuna species and ensure salmon is sustainably sourced. The FDA recommends limiting albacore tuna to 6oz per week.

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