A food enthusiast's recipe hack could transform your tuna sarnie. By swapping out mayonnaise for another ingredient, you get a creamier, protein-packed lunch that's healthier than the classic version17:28, 19 Jun 2026A decent sarnie has long been the go-to lunchtime staple for millions of us. Tuna mayo sandwiches in particular are a speedy, budget-friendly and protein-rich meal enjoyed by people up and down the UK, and beyond.While the classic recipe is tough to improve upon — simply combining a tin of tuna with some mayonnaise, and perhaps a handful of sweetcorn — one simple swap could make them even more indulgent while giving the protein content a welcome boost. Food enthusiast Lana Robinson is now encouraging people to ditch the mayo in favour of a more nutritious alternative that promises to make the sandwich even creamier, all while ramping up its protein levels.Taking to TikTok, where she's well known for posting videos on health and nutrition, Lana previously went viral with her inventive tuna salad recipe. Her original clip has racked up over 1.4 million views, with fans heaping praise on the dish, many preferring it to the traditional mayo-based version.The secret? Simply swap out your usual mayonnaise for cottage cheese."It might sound like it's a wild combination, but trust me, it's going to taste good," she said, before letting viewers in on her clever recipe hack.Content cannot be displayed without consentHow to make creamy tuna sandwiches without mayoFirst things first, Lana drains the water from her tin of tuna — noting that any variety will do — before transferring the fish into a bowl and breaking it down into smaller chunks using a fork. She then adds chopped onions and pickled jalapeños, along with a pinch of salt and pepper, noting that you're free to add whatever ingredients you'd like to the bowl.Next comes the time to prepare her secret ingredient — cottage cheese. Rather than tipping it straight into the tuna, however, she first blitzes it in a blender to achieve a smoother, creamier consistency."It's so nice and creamy, and that's exactly what we want," she said, proudly displaying her velvety cottage cheese mixture.She goes on to say: "I know it sounds wild. It's a wild combination, I know, but just trust me, it tastes so delicious."Once the cottage cheese has been blended, simply fold it into the rest of the tuna mixture before piling it onto your bread to create a mouth-watering, protein-packed sandwich."And again, it doesn't get healthier than this," she added, referring to the healthy properties of cottage cheese.While plenty of people may have reservations about ditching the mayo in favour of cottage cheese, it actually makes for an incredibly wholesome swap.Unlike mayonnaise, which is laden with calories and high in fat, cottage cheese is a nutrient-rich, low-calorie powerhouse, brimming with protein, calcium, and B vitamins.It is particularly renowned for aiding weight management, supporting muscle recovery, and strengthening bones — making it the ideal alternative to mayonnaise for anyone looking to make a health-conscious change.