26 Comments
User's avatar
wendym's avatar

My typical work day lunch is several handfuls of arugula or other sturdy salad green, a tin of sardines or salmon, pistachios and olive oil and vinegar. Some crackers and a piece of fruit too.

Expand full comment
EddieMac's avatar

Just cracked open a can of sardines from Costco with Italian bread. Bada bing!

Expand full comment
Ryan Lynch's avatar

I’ve really started to enjoy eating tinned fish! Patagonia Provisions is a little more pricey but they have some really good flavors. I guess you could eat it with some crackers but I just eat it straight out of the tin with a fork.

Expand full comment
Michelle's avatar

I love anchovies! Turkish culture cooks with them frequently (mostly as an appetizer) and when marinated correctly, they are delicious.

Expand full comment
D D's avatar

I eat small fish several times a week when I visit my in-laws in Vietnam. Rightly pointed out an american problem. Whole grilled midskipper with hot pot? Yes please. But you gotta have serious chopstick skills.

Expand full comment
Saul's avatar

I was actually thinking about this the other day! There seems to be a correlation between food size and nutritional density. Maybe something to do with the square cube law (or whatever that law is that makes it so ants are crazy strong). So things like legumes. Seeds, eggs (as opposed to chicken), or small fish all seem to be more nutritional than their "adult" counterparts

Expand full comment
Robyn's avatar

Nothing better than avocado toast topped with sardines and Louisiana Hot Sauce (lots of it). I grew up eating sardines out of the can and have continued my love of tinned fish into adulthood. I highly recommend the surprise box from Rainbow Tomatoes Garden if you want to have some fun with tinned fish! Thanks for sharing the love of tinned fish with your readers.

Expand full comment
Heather Matus's avatar

The Trader Joe's Farm Raised Smoked Trout Fillets are delicious on a salad or with crackers.

Expand full comment
Louis Cianca's avatar

When I was a boy, my mom made pizza with anchovies during Lent and on Fridays. Also she would make spaghetti with olive oil and anchovies. Both were excellent.

Expand full comment
JBM's avatar

Appreciate the detailed info on benefits of eating small fish. I eat two cans of sardines for lunch about 3-4 days a week at the office with a side of frozen vegetables. Super portable and easy lunch.

Expand full comment
Erik Germony's avatar

I know you mentioned fish oils, but where does krill oil rank? I figure that small fish are still superior, but I started taking krill oil on the basis of it being better for the environment and higher bioavailability. Curious as to what you and “fish daddy” can say about it!

Expand full comment
MKH_TX's avatar

eatfishwife.com is also very good. Their Mackerel is simply fantastic as is their Smoked Rainbow Trout.

Expand full comment
Marcus bolton's avatar

What about the guy who just eats eggs and has perfect bloodwork?

Expand full comment
Paul Harper's avatar

If you are in parts of Asia or Africa sardines from the local shop is often the only form of protein you might commonly find other than mystery meat. With sardines you can be reasonably sure you won't get food poisoning. I ate them a lot in South Sudan with ramen noodles, whatever stir fried vegetables I could find and chilli paste or powder.

Expand full comment
Rich M's avatar

Does anyone have good advice with bringing tinned fish to work for lunch and not being that person who stinks up the joint? Has been a major limiting factor

Expand full comment