This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of HealthyTuna.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

The beginning of each year finds many of us (including me) promising to develop more healthy eating habits. I know I don't eat enough protein, and I'm forever looking for ways to get more since it's more filling than the carbohydrates I know and love so dearly.

Tuna is a great way to increase your protein intake and it can be a great quick meal. But, people are sometimes concerned about the safety of tuna, particularly with pregnant women.

While pregnant women should stay away from fish high in mercury, it's thought that tuna, which is low in mercury, may actually have some benefits when eaten during pregnancy and beyond.

I will be the first to tell you I'm not a big seafood fan, but I love tuna. My kids like tuna, and we typically eat it as a standard tuna salad with mayonnaise and relish. Occasionally, I'll make tuna melts on English muffins, or even a tuna casserole. But, other than that, we haven't been very adventurous. So, I tried a new (to me, anyway) twist on tuna salad from Starkist: Southwest Tuna Salad.

Southwest Tuna Salad (StarKist)

Ingredients:

1 (2.6-ounces) pouch of Chunk Light or Albacore Tuna (if using cans, drained and chunked)

½ cup black beans, drained and rinsed

¼ cup low-fat Ranch dressing

1/4 cup Mexican cheese blend, shredded

2 ½ cups (4-ounces) lettuce, washed and torn

½ cup whole kernel corn

¼ cup salsa

Directions:

In a large salad bowl place lettuce, tuna, beans, corn and ranch dressing. Top with salsa and cheese. For two small salads, divide all ingredients in half.

I'm not much of a food stylist (shut up), but you know what? This was really good, and we'll have it again.

HealthyTuna.com has a lot of information about tuna benefits and safety as well as some more great recipe ideas. Check it out!

healthy tuna