Preparing Chicken/Tuna salad

[cliftonite]

Ive added chicken/tuna salad to my diet (alternate them daily) and was wondering how you guys go about preparing it. I usually put some red onions, celery, feta, and light mayo (2 tablespoons). I know mayo isnt exactly the greatest food, but 2 tablespoons is only a 100 calories. Is this ok or should I just eat the meat plain?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: cliftonite
Ive added chicken/tuna salad to my diet (alternate them daily) and was wondering how you guys go about preparing it. I usually put some red onions, celery, feta, and light mayo (2 tablespoons). I know mayo isnt exactly the greatest food, but 2 tablespoons is only a 100 calories. Is this ok or should I just eat the meat plain?

To be perfectly honest, if it's what you want, then eat it. It's not going to kill you. However, the more delicious route is to find half of an avocado and put it on top of the tuna (or mix it in). It maintains the same function, is healthy, and tastes great.

 

[Deeko]

Question 1: Do you like your tuna/chicken with mayo? If yes....
Question 2: Is the extra 100 calories adversely affecting your desired caloric balance? If yes....
Question 3: Is there anything else you'd rather remove?

 

[Mikey]

I don't know about the rest of you guys, but the only mayonnaise I like is Miracle Whip Light. It's got less calories and tastes great IMO.

 

[marvdmartian]

Can't say I care for Miracle Whip lite, but I did a label comparison one time, regular MW versus lite mayo.......and the mayo lost in pretty much every category (calories, fat, carbs, etc). The only thing it might beat MW on would be protein. And personally, I like Miracle Whip's taste better.

OP, have you tried making your chicken/tuna salad with mustard? Even a light ranch dressing might be better for you, though I have no numbers to confirm it.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Mikey
I don't know about the rest of you guys, but the only mayonnaise I like is Miracle Whip Light. It's got less calories and tastes great IMO.

It's what I use. Only 20 calories per tablespoon. Of course, you could forego the mayo and just use lemon juice.

 

[heymrdj]

MW and mayo can't be compared. Mayo is a creamy paste made for sandwiches only really. Miracle Whip is a tangy vinegar like dressing for multiple tasks such as salads ect. I'm not saying they aren't interchangeable, just comparing their nutrition is kinda silly because some people like one, some both, some on only certain things, ect.

Eat what you like. The mayo is not going to kill you in any way whatsoever.

 

[Kaido]

I use it. I can't eat sandwiches or tuna/chicken salad without it, lol. And don't fall for the "lite" mayo stuff - read the ingredients in lite mayo vs. regular mayo...chemistry set vs. not too bad. I like Hellman's mayo a lot, plus it uses soybean oil (veggie oil seems to bother me).

 

[cliftonite]

Well I made tuna salad for tomorrows lunch with honey mustard, well see how it goes.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: cliftonite
Well I made tuna salad for tomorrows lunch with honey mustard, well see how it goes.

fwiw I use plenty of mayo and I've been losing weight just fine

 

[mchammer187]

You can get mayo that uses canola/olive oil

so it is no worse than you than egg yolks + whatever oil they use

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: mchammer187
You can get mayo that uses canola/olive oil

so it is no worse than you than egg yolks + whatever oil they use

Canola oil is the worst oil for you. It's so hydrogenated and as a result has massive proportions omega-6's in it along with rancid, oxidized fat compounds. Honestly, I've been contemplating making my own mayo just because everything else is full of crap that doesn't need to be there.

There are things that say canola oil is the best for you... However, the lower the amount of oil in a seed, the more likely it is to be highly hydrogenated and highly processed. Olives have a large amount of oil in them in comparison and are therefore less processed. The same goes for peanut oil, which I would use way before I touched canola oil. I'm seriously confused as to why many consider this a hoax.

 

[conorvansmack]

Originally posted by: Kaido
I use it. I can't eat sandwiches or tuna/chicken salad without it, lol. And don't fall for the "lite" mayo stuff - read the ingredients in lite mayo vs. regular mayo...chemistry set vs. not too bad. I like Hellman's mayo a lot, plus it uses soybean oil (veggie oil seems to bother me).

+1 for Hellman's. I have used both MW Free and Hellman's mayo. For me, it came down to taste. MW is kind of sweet and mayo gave the chicken/tuna salad more of a meaty flavor.

Olive oil and vinegar (red wine) have been used as substitutes. I looked into making my own mayo once, but I didn't see any nutritional benefits. As long as it's "real" mayo, it's all oil, eggs, and lemon juice.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: mchammer187
You can get mayo that uses canola/olive oil

so it is no worse than you than egg yolks + whatever oil they use

Canola oil is the worst oil for you. It's so hydrogenated and as a result has massive proportions omega-6's in it along with rancid, oxidized fat compounds. Honestly, I've been contemplating making my own mayo just because everything else is full of crap that doesn't need to be there.

There are things that say canola oil is the best for you... However, the lower the amount of oil in a seed, the more likely it is to be highly hydrogenated and highly processed. Olives have a large amount of oil in them in comparison and are therefore less processed. The same goes for peanut oil, which I would use way before I touched canola oil. I'm seriously confused as to why many consider this a hoax.

Wow...that really surprises me. I always thought peanut oil was the most unhealthy (and yet natural peanut butter is so good ). I've been using canola oil for general cooking instead of butter - what types of oil should I use instead?

 

[mchammer187]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: mchammer187
You can get mayo that uses canola/olive oil

so it is no worse than you than egg yolks + whatever oil they use

Canola oil is the worst oil for you. It's so hydrogenated and as a result has massive proportions omega-6's in it along with rancid, oxidized fat compounds. Honestly, I've been contemplating making my own mayo just because everything else is full of crap that doesn't need to be there.

There are things that say canola oil is the best for you... However, the lower the amount of oil in a seed, the more likely it is to be highly hydrogenated and highly processed. Olives have a large amount of oil in them in comparison and are therefore less processed. The same goes for peanut oil, which I would use way before I touched canola oil. I'm seriously confused as to why many consider this a hoax.

this is what i got when i searched online for it:

Made with expeller pressed canol aoil, whole eggs, and lemon juice, our 365 Everyday Value Mayonnaise has a simple, creamy flavor, It's a natural choice for your favorite sandwiches, dips, spreads and chilled deli salads.

Total Fat 10g 15%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 75mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Sugars 0g
Protein 0g 0%

I don't see anything wrong with this.

I'll post a full ingredient list here since I don't have it in front of me but doesn't it have to say "hydrogenated" or at least put trans fat if there is .5g or more of hydrogenated oils?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: conorvansmack

Originally posted by: Kaido
I use it. I can't eat sandwiches or tuna/chicken salad without it, lol. And don't fall for the "lite" mayo stuff - read the ingredients in lite mayo vs. regular mayo...chemistry set vs. not too bad. I like Hellman's mayo a lot, plus it uses soybean oil (veggie oil seems to bother me).

+1 for Hellman's. I have used both MW Free and Hellman's mayo. For me, it came down to taste. MW is kind of sweet and mayo gave the chicken/tuna salad more of a meaty flavor.

Olive oil and vinegar (red wine) have been used as substitutes. I looked into making my own mayo once, but I didn't see any nutritional benefits. As long as it's "real" mayo, it's all oil, eggs, and lemon juice.

Yah Miracle Whip is a totally different product than mayonaisse...it's like dijon mustard vs regular yellow mustard - they're both spreads, but different types. I only like Miracle Whip once in awhile on a sandwich, but mostly I prefer mayo. I don't know why, but I just never get sick of it :thumbsup:

 

[spamsk8r]

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: mchammer187
You can get mayo that uses canola/olive oil

so it is no worse than you than egg yolks + whatever oil they use

Canola oil is the worst oil for you. It's so hydrogenated and as a result has massive proportions omega-6's in it along with rancid, oxidized fat compounds. Honestly, I've been contemplating making my own mayo just because everything else is full of crap that doesn't need to be there.

There are things that say canola oil is the best for you... However, the lower the amount of oil in a seed, the more likely it is to be highly hydrogenated and highly processed. Olives have a large amount of oil in them in comparison and are therefore less processed. The same goes for peanut oil, which I would use way before I touched canola oil. I'm seriously confused as to why many consider this a hoax.

Wow...that really surprises me. I always thought peanut oil was the most unhealthy (and yet natural peanut butter is so good ). I've been using canola oil for general cooking instead of butter - what types of oil should I use instead?

Go ahead and use butter! I cook everything in either butter or expeller-pressed coconut oil because they are stable fats that can stand heat without breaking down into oxidative compounds (free radicals). Most vegetable oils (including olive oil) can't handle the heat due to their highly unsaturated nature.

 

[Alienwho]

I always mix my tuna with a couple healthy squirts of lime juice, mustard, and a little light mayo.

 

[Kipper]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Canola oil is the worst oil for you. It's so hydrogenated and as a result has massive proportions omega-6's in it along with rancid, oxidized fat compounds. Honestly, I've been contemplating making my own mayo just because everything else is full of crap that doesn't need to be there.

There are things that say canola oil is the best for you... However, the lower the amount of oil in a seed, the more likely it is to be highly hydrogenated and highly processed. Olives have a large amount of oil in them in comparison and are therefore less processed. The same goes for peanut oil, which I would use way before I touched canola oil. I'm seriously confused as to why many consider this a hoax.

...Uh? Do you actually know what you're talking about? Where are you getting the idea that canola oil is hydrogenated or processed - and for all things, for MAYONNAISE? If it is hydrogenated (highly unlikely since soybean or peanut oils are usually the cheaper ones manufacutrers use for hydrogenation) it will say so on the label. Avoid those products, certainly. But otherwise, there should be no problem. Here's news for you. ALL oils are processed, in one form or another - whether they are expeller pressed, or chemical solvents are used to extract the oils (generally for lower-quality oils). Canola is derived from the rape plant (no, that's not a typo), which has been used for centuries for its oily seed (it actually also goes by the name OILSEED). It actually appears in some older Japanese haiku.

Canola contains a large proportion of PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) in contrast to olive, for example, which is more MUFA (monounsaturated) in concentration. To be sure, it is a more delicate oil than olive but there is NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. Please stop spreading FUD about canola.

 

[Kipper]

Originally posted by: mchammer187
this is what i got when i searched online for it:

Made with expeller pressed canol aoil, whole eggs, and lemon juice, our 365 Everyday Value Mayonnaise has a simple, creamy flavor, It's a natural choice for your favorite sandwiches, dips, spreads and chilled deli salads.

Total Fat 10g 15%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 75mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Sugars 0g
Protein 0g 0%

I don't see anything wrong with this.

I'll post a full ingredient list here since I don't have it in front of me but doesn't it have to say "hydrogenated" or at least put trans fat if there is .5g or more of hydrogenated oils?

That's a Whole Foods mayonnaise, which has no transfat in it. In fact, that's one of the "banned" ingredients from WFM, if I'm not mistaken. They won't carry products with hydrogenated oils, or HFCS, among others.

EAT AWAY! There is NOTHING wrong with it. "Hydrogenated" is not what you are looking for - these oils have completely saturated fatty acids. What you are looking for is PARTIALLY hydrogenated, where trans-isomers form (trans-fats).

People have this inordinate, unreasonable fear of mayonnaise. They think it's fatty or that it is somehow massively calorific. The reason why is because nobody uses just one tablespoon. They heap it onto their sandwiches, and that's where the bad reputation comes from. One tablespoon or another has very little calories in the large scheme of things. And the egg yolks it uses for the emulsifying property - also very little concern, since the yolks are small in comparison to the other ingredients.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Alienwho
I always mix my tuna with a couple healthy squirts of lime juice, mustard, and a little light mayo.

Lime juice, eh? Sounds interesting...do you use more mustard than mayo?

 

[conorvansmack]

I've always liked lime juice with tuna steaks, it never occurred to me to try it with canned tuna.

 

[alkemyst]

Anything in moderation is fine.

However if you are trying to lose weight or cut down for an event then one must make sacrifices.

100 calories for something like mayo is quite a bit if you are cutting them.

Lite Miracle Whip is a decent alternative (but a different flavor than mayo). I don't care for the fat-free version.

Also how much tuna makes a difference...if you are using it to make a couple cans, not so bad...a single sandwich; pretty excessive.

Most of the people taking their diets to science aren't training enough to justify it.

 

[Alienwho]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Alienwho
I always mix my tuna with a couple healthy squirts of lime juice, mustard, and a little light mayo.

Lime juice, eh? Sounds interesting...do you use more mustard than mayo?

I am a lime junkie. I love limes and will squeeze a freshly sliced lime on pretty much anything.

I do use more mustard than mayo, but not too much more. I use just enough of each to reach a nice consistency without giving it to much of either. It usually hints yellow due to the mustard. There is no such thing as to much lime, however.

 

[Eos]

I like to use 1/2 cottage cheese and 1/2 mayo for tuna salads.
Salt, fresh ground black pepper. Mix and serve with pita chips.