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Small whole sardines lie close together on a plain plate, their silvery-gray skin glistening and their tapered bodies and tails clearly visible.
●Low GI
⚡High Potassium
💪High Protein

Salted canned sardines Calories

High in protein, omega-3 and B12; high sodium.

CALORIES · 100 G

208kcal

GI

0low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

397mg

FIBER · 100 G

0g

Quick answer

1 can (small) of Salted canned sardines (90 g) has 187 calories. That works out to 208 calories per 100 g. It contains 0 g of carbs, 22.1 g of protein, 10.4 g of fat and 0 g of fiber. Its 8 µg of B12 covers 334% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 0 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Salted canned sardines Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 can (small) · 90 g

187

KCAL / 90G

Carbs

0g

· 0% DV

Protein

22.1g

· 44% DV

Fat

10.4g

· 13% DV

Fiber

0g

· 0% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 0% · Protein 49% · Fat 51%

Salted canned sardines nutrition facts table · 1 can (small) (90 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories187 kcal
Total fat10.4 g13%
Saturated fat2.43 g12%
Trans fat0 g
Sodium468 mg20%
Total carbohydrate0 g0%
Fiber0 g0%
Protein22.1 g44%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

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How Many Calories in 1 Small Can of Salted canned sardines?

ServingAmountCalories
1 can (small)90 g187 kcal
1 piece (small)12 g25 kcal
1 ounce (small)28 g58 kcal
3 piece (medium)36 g75 kcal
1 serving (half)60 g125 kcal
1 serving (medium)90 g187 kcal
100 g100 g208 kcal
1 can (medium)120 g250 kcal
1 can (large)155 g322 kcal

Calculated from 208 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Salted canned sardines

Are salted canned sardines good for you?

Yes, salted canned sardines provide protein, omega-3 fats and vitamin B12. Their main drawback is the high sodium content, so they may not be a good everyday choice for someone who has been advised to limit salt.

Are salted canned sardines high in mercury?

No, sardines are small, short-lived fish and are generally low in mercury compared with large predatory fish. That makes them a lower-mercury seafood choice, though salted canned sardines still contain plenty of sodium.

Can you eat salted canned sardines every day?

You can, but eating salted canned sardines daily may add too much sodium to your diet. Rotate them with other protein and fish options, or choose a lower-sodium product if sardines are a frequent meal.

Do salted canned sardines need to be cooked?

No, salted canned sardines are already cooked during the canning process and are ready to eat. You can serve them cold, add them to a sandwich or salad, or warm them briefly in a cooked dish.

Can you eat the bones in salted canned sardines?

Yes, the small bones in salted canned sardines are usually softened by canning and are safe to eat. They can be mashed into the fish, but you can remove any pieces that feel firm or unpleasant.

How do you make salted canned sardines less salty?

Drain the liquid and briefly rinse salted canned sardines under cool water to remove some surface salt. This will not remove all the sodium, and soaking them for a long time can make the fish watery and less flavorful.

How long do salted canned sardines last after opening?

Transfer leftover salted canned sardines from the opened tin to a covered container and refrigerate them. Eat them within 3–4 days, and discard them sooner if they develop an unusual smell, color or texture.

Are salted canned sardines safe to eat during pregnancy?

Generally, yes: sardines are a low-mercury fish, and pregnancy guidance commonly includes low-mercury seafood. Salted canned sardines are high in sodium, so ask your clinician about portions if you have been told to restrict salt.

Should you drain the oil from salted canned sardines?

Drain it if you want a less oily result or are adding the sardines to a dish where extra oil would be unwelcome. Keeping some oil can add flavor and moisture; taste before adding salt because the fish is already salted.

What goes well with salted canned sardines?

Salted canned sardines pair well with lemon, crusty bread, tomatoes, leafy salads and potatoes. Choose unsalted or lightly seasoned sides so the meal does not become excessively salty.

Salted canned sardines Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B12

8.01µg · 334% DV

B3

4.68mg · 29% DV

Vitamin D

4.32µg · 22% DV

B2

0.21mg · 16% DV

Minerals

Selenium

47µg · 85% DV

Phosphorus

441mg · 63% DV

Calcium

344mg · 34% DV

Iodine

32µg · 21% DV

Sodium

468mg · 20% DV

Potassium ⭐

357mg · 11% DV

Salted canned sardines Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

0
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

0
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Salted canned sardines

To burn the 187 calories in 1 can (small) (90 g):

🚶

46min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

19min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

25min

Cycling

🏊

22min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Salted canned sardines?

Salted canned sardines are small sardines preserved with salt in a sealed can, sometimes packed in oil or their own juices. They have soft, tender flesh that flakes easily and a savoury, distinctly briny flavour. Common around Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, canned sardines are now a handy pantry staple worldwide: serve them on toast or crackers, toss them into a salad or pasta, or pair them with lemon and fresh herbs. They provide plenty of protein and omega-3 fats, with no carbohydrates, but can also be high in sodium. For a lighter, less salty meal, drain them and serve with fresh vegetables or unsalted bread.

How Nutritious Is Salted canned sardines?

Nutrient density

Very high

84/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

49/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Salted canned sardines Processed?

NOVA 3

Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Salted canned sardines Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish yes
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Salted canned sardines Good For?

Vegan

— Not suitable

Vegetarian

— Not suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

— Not suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

✓ Suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Salted canned sardines Fat Profile

SATURATED

2.43g

MONOUNSATURATED

3.51g

POLYUNSATURATED

1.89g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 0.2:1

Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.