This is a collaborative post
Over the past decade or so, tuna bowls have become increasingly popular in the West. A meal that was originally invented in Hawaii, it’s become a staple around the world for millions of people, thanks to its delicious flavours, affordable ingredients and multiple health benefits.
Tuna bowls are also an incredible source of protein, for both gym goers and sofa chillers alike. Here we take a look at the three main reasons behind why they’re such a great option when it comes to protein – as if you needed any more convincing that it’s time to make your next one.
Tuna is highly bioavailable
When people talk about protein, they often throw out a number of grams per portion and leave it at that. In reality, it’s a little bit more complicated. You also need to be aware of the concept of bioavailability – that is, how easy it is for your body to process and use the protein in a specific food.
The protein in tuna is highly bioavailable, scoring near full points on the PDCAAS (the measurement for how digestible protein is in a given food).
As a result, a delicious tuna bowl with some John West fish in it will be welcomed by your body, with your digestive system having no trouble at all turning it into the building blocks your body needs to thrive and repair itself.
It’s a tasty and versatile meal
When people start breaking down food into different macronutrients like protein and fat, it’s common that they lose a sense of food as something that should be enjoyed. Treating food as fuel might be a functional approach from a health perspective, but it’s definitely not one that we’d recommend.
Luckily, tuna bowls don’t fit into this limiting narrative. With just a little bit of effort, they can be absolutely delicious. You can mix and match between a range of different spices, vegetables, rice types and even fruits, to make sure that it remains a tasty and interesting meal for months
Tuna is low-calorie
Lastly, tuna is one of the foods with the highest concentrations of protein and the lowest amounts of both fats and carbohydrates. In fact, around 90% of the calories in tuna come from its protein content.
This still means that you can increase the number of calories in your bowl if you choose to, by adding other ingredients. But, it also means that you can keep the calories low without having to make any sacrifices to get enough protein in your body.
If you’re watching your weight or just generally want to be able to choose where you get your carbs and fats from, this can definitely be a big bonus.
Getting tuna bowls just right takes a bit of time. You’ll need to get some new spices and sauces in your life, and it’s important to keep experimenting. They’re a delicious recipe that you can get really creative with – if anything, it’s an added bonus that they’re so good for you!
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post