Why you should be eating sardines and 5 top recipes

Tinned tuna enjoys hogging the limelight. No one sticks up their noses at it. It’s convenient, healthy and tasty. But tuna is a large fish that enjoys a spot high up in the food chain, which means it contains higher levels of mercury, which is all kinds of bad for you.

It’s time to tune the tuna; step aside, tuna! The sardines are tired of being packed in a can. If the thought of buying a can of sardines has never crossed your mind, consider the health benefits; there’s nothing fishy about sardines.

Benefits of eating sardines:

• These little bottom-of the-food chain fishies are classed among the lowest mercury-containing fish.

• Sardines come in an ultra-convenient tin can; no can-opener necessary – just pull the tab to peel back the lid.

• They are affordable – about the same price as tuna.

• High in protein.

• They are high in healthy Omega-3 fats.

• They are also high in vitamins and minerals – especially calcium, which is found in the bones; so soft, you can eat them.

• They are one of the top 10 foods to eat on a hangover.

Top 5 sardine recipes:

1. Grilled sardines with red onion – with beautiful beetroot tzatziki

2. Bacon wrapped sardines – perfect for a light snack

3. Lemony sardines and potatoes – a superb combination of sardines and potato

4. Baked sardines with thyme and roast lemons – a tasty dish, great served with salad and crusty bread

5. Pasta con le sarde – that’s Italian for ‘sardine pasta’, and it’s flavoursome!

Would you be seen with sardines in your shopping cart?