Cans are making a comeback. Tinned fish — together with tuna, salmon, sardines and anchovies — is getting plenty of love amongst foodies on social media. (Living proof: cookbook writer Alison Roman’s TikTok-favorite carmelized shallot pasta recipe, which makes use of a whole container of anchovies to present the dish a wealthy umami taste.)And there’s good cause to like it: New analysis reveals that individuals who eat small fish, that are widespread among the many tinned varieties, may very well stay longer. There are different well being advantages too, dietitians inform Yahoo Life. Right here’s what they are saying about tinned fish’s attraction, the recipes they advocate and their ideas for making an attempt the development even in the event you’re — let’s be trustworthy — a little bit fussy round fish.Why individuals love tinned fishTinned fish refers to fish that has been cooked and preserved in a sealed tin or can. Some of the interesting points of tinned fish (particularly for the budget-friendly shopper!) is its shelf life, because the canning course of helps hold the fish contemporary and fit for human consumption for a very long time with out refrigeration. It’s additionally a very good choice for many who camp or hike, as tinned fish is a transportable supply of protein you don’t have to hold cool or cook dinner.Whereas the fish could be eaten by itself, or utilized in varied dishes like salads, sandwiches and pastas, it’s additionally nice for including taste. Caesar salad dressing, for instance, is often made with anchovies.Is tinned fish good for you?Dietitians approve of tinned fish for a lot of causes. They comprise a wide range of nutritional vitamins, similar to B12 and vitamin D, in addition to minerals like calcium and selenium.Dietitian Rima Kleiner, meals blogger at Dish on Fish, tells Yahoo Life that fish, whether or not tinned or contemporary, is the “final mind meals.” That is very true of oily fish similar to salmon, tuna and mackerel, which offer omega-3 fatty acids. These are “utilized by the physique to construct nerve and mind cells,” Kleiner explains. (Analysis additionally reveals that consuming sardines is more practical than taking a fish oil complement so as to get a wholesome dose of omega-3s.)Dietitian Michelle Routhenstein tells Yahoo Life that tinned fish can be filled with high-quality protein. Usually, tinned fish accommodates about 20 to 25 grams of protein per 100 grams.One well being perk of many sorts of tinned fish, Routhenstein notes, is their edible bones. The bones of fish like sardines and salmon, she says, are “softened throughout canning, offering a big supply of calcium and vitamin D.” These vitamins are essential for sustaining sturdy bones, supporting coronary heart rhythm regularity and facilitating correct blood clotting, she explains.Are there any downsides to tinned fish?Be careful for the sodium content material in tinned fish, Routhenstein says — particularly these packed in brine or sauces — as an excessive amount of sodium can contribute to hypertension. Sure fish, similar to tuna, could are available in lower-sodium varieties.One other factor to notice with tinned fish is the potential presence of BPAs (bisphenol A), chemical compounds used within the manufacturing of plastics, together with these used to line meals cans. Which means that while you’re consuming tinned fish, you can be ingesting BPAs, as they’ll leach into meals. Publicity to BPAs and different endocrine disruptors have been linked to well being issues, similar to insulin resistance, weight problems and diabetes.It’s vital to notice that whereas BPAs in tinned fish are a possible concern, regulatory businesses such because the Meals and Drug Administration monitor BPA portions to cut back threat. Nevertheless, in the event you’re involved, you may select BPA-free packaging or different packaging choices, like glass jars.One other factor to contemplate is the mercury content material in your tinned fish. Mercury, a heavy metallic, can construct up in a single’s physique over time and trigger well being issues. Canned tuna, in addition to mackerel, is most probably to comprise mercury, with gentle tuna deemed the safer choice. Whereas consuming this fish sparsely (two to a few 4-ounce servings per week) is unlikely to trigger mercury poisoning, pregnant individuals could wish to keep away from fish larger in mercury as a result of dangers to the fetus.How can I exploit tinned fish?Get inventive along with your tinned fish! Kleiner has these recipe suggestions:Squeamish about tinned fish? Dietitian Avery Zenker tells Yahoo Life you could “strive having it in small portions first, like including a small quantity to a pasta dish,” she says. You can too “strive mixing it into sauces, similar to tomato or cream-based sauces.”One other strategy to downplay the fish? Zenker suggests “utilizing it as a filling for stuffed greens or mixing it into spreads for crackers or bread,” which might “assist ease any apprehensions about its style and texture.” And, if all that fails? Strive Caesar salad — the final word crowd-pleasing meals constructed from tinned fish.