Healthier Tuna Melt: An Update to a Classic Favorite

Tuna sandwiches remind me of my childhood. They were one of my favorite foods, and I never grew tired of eating them. Today, I’m happy to give a bit of a nutrition upgrade to these healthier tuna melts. They have no mayo, a healthy serving of fresh veggies, and gluten free bread – along with a few other healthy features.

I adapted this recipe from ifoodreal, which provided the inspiration for a simple, delicious, healthful tuna melt that your family can keep coming back to.

How can you make a tuna melt healthier?

This recipe gives you the gooey deliciousness of a traditional tuna melt while still helping you stick to your health and nutrition goals. There are four ways to make your tuna melt a healthier meal option, and we’ll do all of them in this meal.

1. Skip the mayo

Mayonnaise is famously high in fat and calories, and many brands manufacture it with genetically modified ingredients. However, cream cheese makes an easy substitution for mayo, and you probably won’t even notice the difference!

In this recipe, we’ll also use reduced fat items for both the cream cheese and cheese topping, further keeping the nutrition in check for this recipe.

2. Add a healthy veggie (or two)

Tuna often has sweet pickle added to it, and while delicious, sweet pickles are high in calories and sugar. This recipe uses fresh celery instead to give it that satisfying crunch.

To add even more veggie power to this meal, you can also have a healthy side with your sandwich, such as baby carrots or slices of cucumber or zucchini.

3. Use gluten free bread

Refined carbs and the gluten commonly found in breads can be difficult to digest and cause inflammation. Fortunately, with a variety of great-tasting gluten free English muffins available now, those with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity have many options to choose from.

4. Use sustainably sourced tuna

You can help ensure that your tuna melt is healthier for our planet as well as for you! Whether buying canned or fresh seafood, look for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label. Products bearing this label have undergone a certification process for sustainable fishing.

This tuna melt recipe comes together in a flash and is simple, healthy comfort food. I hope you and your family enjoy it!

Recipe adapted from ifoodreal.

Healthier Tuna Melt

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Prep 5 mins

Cook 5 mins

Total 10 mins

Servings 2

Ingredients

  

• 2 5-oz cans tuna fish
• 3 Tbsp cream cheese reduced fat
• Garlic salt to taste
• 1 stalk celery chopped
• 1/3 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese grated
• 2 English muffins gluten free

Instructions

 

• In a bowl, mix the tuna fish, cream cheese, garlic salt, and celery.
• Slice the English muffins and spread the tuna mixture evenly on the muffin halves.
• Divide the cheese evenly and top the muffins with cheese.
• Bake in a toaster oven on broil for about 5 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
• Serve with a side of fresh veggies, such as baby carrots or sliced cucumbers or zucchini.
• Enjoy!