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Light Tuna in Water (Canned): calories, macros and portion sizes
Published 20 October 2026 · BiteCal editorial draft
Light Tuna in Water (Canned) provides 86 kcal, 19.4 g protein, 0 g carbohydrate and 0.96 g fat per 100 g in the USDA SR Legacy reference. The exact record is “Fish, tuna, light, canned in water, drained solids (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program).” These are historical reference values for that food and preparation, not a measurement of every brand or recipe.
USDA reference per 100 g
Selected reference
Fish, tuna, light, canned in water, drained solids (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program)
Historical reference: USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy, April 2018. Values describe the named edible portion and preparation, not every food with a similar name or a current retail formulation. Missing values are not zero.
USDA reference panel
| Nutrient | Per 100 g |
|---|---|
| Energy | 86 kcal |
| Protein | 19.4 g |
| Carbs | 0 g |
| Fat | 0.96 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Sodium | 247 mg |
What the nutrition record actually describes
The reference is USDA FoodData Central food 173709, from the April 2018 SR Legacy release. Its basis is per 100 g edible portion. Food names in search results can hide important differences: the record description, rather than the broad headline alone, determines whether this panel matches your serving.
The figures below are scaled from that source record. Missing nutrients are labeled “Not reported”; an absent sugar value is not evidence that a food contains no sugar. Values may be rounded, and a current product label takes precedence for that exact packaged product.
Check drained solids and the packing medium
Tuna in water is different from tuna in oil, and drained solids differ from a can including all its liquid. The exact USDA description below identifies the basis used for the nutrient panel.
Weigh the drained edible portion if that is what you eat. Mayonnaise, dressing and bread belong in the meal total separately; the plain tuna record does not represent tuna salad or a sandwich.
Calculated portion examples; not serving recommendations
| Edible portion | Energy | Protein | Carbohydrate | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 g | 21.5 kcal | 4.9 g | 0 g | 0.2 g |
| 50 g | 43 kcal | 9.7 g | 0 g | 0.5 g |
| 75 g | 64.5 kcal | 14.6 g | 0 g | 0.7 g |
| 100 g | 86 kcal | 19.4 g | 0 g | 1 g |
| 150 g | 129 kcal | 29.1 g | 0 g | 1.4 g |
How to calculate the portion on your plate
Multiply the per-100-g value by your edible portion in grams and divide by 100. A 75 g portion of this reference has approximately 64.5 kcal; a 150 g portion has approximately 129 kcal. Those are mathematical examples, not recommended serving sizes.
Use the same scaling for protein, carbohydrate and fat. For a mixed recipe, calculate each ingredient first, add the batch, then allocate the share eaten. If a finished batch weighs 600 g and you serve 150 g, you have one quarter of the batch nutrition; the recipe's water content affects its final weight.
Where the reference is useful—and where it stops
Use this panel to compare like-for-like portions and to understand what drives the meal total. It does not decide whether light tuna in water (canned) is suitable for a particular medical diet, nor does one nutrient describe the quality of an entire day.
A meal can include additional vegetables, grains, proteins, sauces and drinks. Record the components you ate rather than judging the plate from a single ingredient. If you need a sodium or other nutrient limit for a condition, use the plan agreed with your healthcare professional.
Logging light tuna in water (canned) with BiteCal
Photograph the meal in good light with the whole serving visible. Review the foods the scanner suggests, match the preparation, and adjust the portion before saving. Photo recognition is a starting estimate; it cannot read the weight under a pile of food or identify every hidden recipe ingredient.
Compare the saved calorie and macro totals with the reference and your portion calculation. Review the daily diary rather than assuming one scan is exact. A label or measured homemade recipe is often a better source when the product or recipe is known.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in 100 g of light tuna in water (canned)?
86 kcal in this specific USDA reference. Match the food description and preparation before applying that number to a meal.
Can I use the same number for a different brand?
Use the current product label if you have one. The historical USDA entry describes fish, tuna, light, canned in water, drained solids (includes foods for usda's food distribution program), so a different formulation or preparation may differ.
Why does my food diary show another value?
Check whether the entries use the same grams, preparation state, edible portion and source. A cooked item, dry ingredient and complete recipe can have different values even when their names look similar.
Sources
BiteCal food reference methodology ↗
AI-assisted original draft. Editorial review pending. Sources describe their stated records or general principles. Current restaurant and branded-product figures require matching current information.
