To put together an easy-to-chew meal without adding unnecessary sugars, compare the ‘of which sugars’ line and the ingredients on each tin. The plain tuna options mentioned from Saupiquet and Petit Navire declare 0 g of sugars per 100 g, while Saupiquet’s Catalan-style preparation contains sugar. However, the tin alone does not determine whether a meal will be easy to eat: prepare the tuna to the texture needed and check the finished dish, particularly if a specific texture has been recommended for swallowing difficulties.
If chewing takes effort, you can flake or mince tuna as part of a meal. As the IDDSI and SLA Portal texture guidelines point out, it is the prepared food being served, not the tin on its own, that needs to be assessed.
If you want to prepare a meal without sugars added by the tin, compare plain tuna with tuna in sauce. The plain options mentioned from Saupiquet and Petit Navire declare 0 g of sugars per 100 g; this figure does not apply to every tuna preparation.
If salt matters to you, check the salt content per 100 g for the specific product. Petit Navire, for example, offers plain tuna labelled ‘-25% salt’; this claim does not tell you anything about the texture of the prepared meal.
First, choose a recipe with ingredients that suit the meal you have in mind, then check that the prepared tuna has the required texture. You may prioritise one of the needs below, but should still check the other points that matter for your meal.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Meal texture | Check the size of the pieces and how well the dish holds together after preparation. If IDDSI Level 6 for adults has been recommended, make sure in particular that pieces are no larger than 1.5 cm on each side. | If I find it hard to chew large pieces, I need a prepared meal with the texture recommended for me, not simply a tin described as tender. Texture would be the priority for around 46% of the consumers concerned. |
| Sugars in the recipe | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and the ingredients list, particularly for products in sauce. | If I want to season the tuna myself, I want to know what is in the tin before adding anything. Avoiding added sugars would be the top priority for around 27% of these consumers. |
| Salt and pack size | Check the salt content per 100 g and choose a pack size that suits the amount you are preparing. | When preparing a simple meal, I prefer to compare salt levels and avoid opening a pack that is too large for my needs. This would be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
Saupiquet and Petit Navire declare 0 g of sugars per 100 g for the plain tuna options mentioned, but Saupiquet’s Catalan-style preparation contains sugar and declares 4.1 g of sugars per 100 g.
Check the nutritional information and ingredients for the recipe you choose rather than relying on the word ‘tuna’ alone.
The size of the pieces and how well a mouthful holds together matter too. If someone has swallowing difficulties, a description of the tin alone cannot tell you what texture to serve.
Check the prepared dish against the recommended texture. If food or drink goes down the wrong way, ask the professional who assessed the required texture for advice.
Petit Navire warns that bone fragments may remain in the relevant products. This is particularly important when tuna is flaked into a meal with a modified texture.
Check the tuna and remove any bones you find before preparing and serving the dish.
The Saupiquet product information mentioned says to consume within two days of opening, while the Joybuy listing for the 93 g Saupiquet tuna says 24 hours.
Follow the refrigeration instructions and storage time given for the specific product you have opened.
The range lets you compare plain tuna in pieces or fillets with a preparation in sauce.
The range includes plain tuna with reduced salt and a product that is already drained, ready to be prepared to your preferred texture.
The ‘-25% salt’ plain albacore tuna offers another pack size to compare.
These tins of tuna in spring water or oil can be used as a base for a meal whose texture you prepare yourself. Compare the ingredients of each product and check the result once the dish is assembled.
Image unavailable
For an easy-to-chew meal, flake the tuna if needed and check the texture of the dish before serving.
The Joybuy listing for this product says to refrigerate any leftovers in a non-metallic container and consume within 24 hours of opening.
Image unavailable
If you use this tuna in a meal with a modified texture, check the pieces and how well the dish holds together after preparation.
Also check the tuna for any bone fragments and remove them before serving.
Image unavailable
This large pack is worth considering if you are preparing several meals, provided you can adapt and check their texture.
Make sure the 2.4 kg pack suits your needs and follow the storage instructions for this product after opening.
No. Instead, compare the ‘of which sugars’ line and the ingredients for the product you choose. The plain tuna mentioned from Petit Navire and Saupiquet declares 0 g of sugars per 100 g, unlike Saupiquet’s Catalan-style preparation, which contains sugar.
No, you need to check the texture of the tuna once it has been prepared. If IDDSI Level 6 for adults has been recommended, pieces should be no larger than 1.5 cm on each side. If there are swallowing difficulties or food or drink goes down the wrong way, ask a suitably trained professional to assess the required texture.
Follow the storage time and refrigeration instructions given for your product. The Saupiquet product information mentioned recommends consuming the tuna within two days, while the Joybuy listing for the 93 g Saupiquet tuna says to consume it within 24 hours of opening.
Check the ingredients, sugars and salt in the nutritional information, along with the net quantity and drained weight, if provided. Compare values on the same basis, particularly per 100 g, and check the storage instructions for each tin after opening.