Canned Mackerel vs Canned Tuna: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Canned mackerel contains 23.2 g of protein, while canned tuna has 19.4 g. Canned mackerel has 156 calories, compared to 86 calories in canned tuna.

Canned mackerel and canned tuna are popular seafood options, each with distinct nutritional benefits. Understanding their differences can help in making informed dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Canned Mackerel and Canned Tuna?

Canned mackerel is a type of fish that is preserved in a can, often in oil or water. It is known for its rich flavor and high omega-3 fatty acid content. Canned tuna is a fish that is also preserved in a can, typically packed in water or oil. It is widely consumed for its mild taste and versatility in various dishes.

Canned Mackerel vs Canned Tuna: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of canned mackerel and canned tuna.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Canned mackerel	Canned tuna (in water)
Calories	156 kcal	86 kcal
Protein	23.2 g	19.4 g
Carbs	0 g	0 g
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Fat	6.3 g	1.0 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	379 mg	247 mg

Which Is Better, Canned Mackerel or Canned Tuna?

For weight loss: Canned tuna is lower in calories, providing 86 calories compared to 156 calories in canned mackerel.

For muscle and protein: Canned mackerel has a higher protein content at 23.2 g, while canned tuna contains 19.4 g of protein.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both canned mackerel and canned tuna contain 0 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of sugar.

How to Track Canned mackerel and Canned tuna Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros, especially with canned foods that may vary in serving sizes. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. This comparison is based on a per-100g basis. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Canned mackerel has 23.2 g of protein, while canned tuna has 19.4 g of protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Canned tuna has fewer calories at 86, compared to 156 calories in canned mackerel.

What is the fat content in canned mackerel?

Canned mackerel contains 6.3 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in canned tuna?

Canned tuna contains 247 mg of sodium per 100 g.

Do both contain sugar?

Both canned mackerel and canned tuna contain 0 g of sugar per 100 g.

How much fiber is in canned mackerel?

Canned mackerel contains 0 g of fiber per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Canned mackerel: 156 calories per 100 g.
• Canned tuna: 86 calories per 100 g.
• Canned mackerel: 23.2 g of protein per 100 g.
• Canned tuna: 19.4 g of protein per 100 g.
• Both contain 0 g of carbohydrates and sugar per 100 g.
• Canned mackerel has 6.3 g of fat, while canned tuna has 1.0 g of fat.