What Is all of the hype about seafood?!

Seafood has always been considered a superfood but it is often not consumed as much as other sources of protein, such as beef or chicken.

With numerous health benefits, seafood is a great way to boost your nutritional intake!  Here’s why:

Rich in omega-3’s: 
Seafood is the only food that contains naturally abundant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.  These fatty acids have been extensively studied and play a key role in healthy brain function and heart function.  A diet rich in omega-3’s has been shown to help reduce a person’s risk of heart disease and may help lower triglyceride levels.  Omega-3’s are also anti-inflammatory, which can provide many benefits in terms of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.  These essential fatty acids are more abundant in fatty fish, like salmon, mackerel, herring, trout, sardines, tuna, and oysters.  Although we categorize some fish as fatty, they still have significantly less fat in them compared to red meat, which makes them more heart healthy and are a great source of lean protein that packs in a lot of flavor!

Nutrient Dense:
Seafood provides the body with many nutrients that are essential for overall health and well-being.  Fish and shellfish are abundant in calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.  These minerals are essential for bone health and heart health.  They also help with metabolism, digestion, immunity, muscle function, and many other processes in the body.  Seafood is also rich in vitamin A, which is essential for eye and vision health.

Protein:
Seafood contains high quality protein that has all of the essential amino acids/building blocks that our body needs to function properly.  Protein is necessary for proper muscle function and helps to boost your metabolism and reduce the feeling of hunger.  It is estimated that 3 ounces of most fish or shellfish has ⅓ of the recommended daily protein amount.
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Fiber: 
Seaweed and sea kelp are considered part of the seafood family and are packed with fiber!  Fiber is great at keeping our bodies “regular” and also plays a key role in keeping us full longer, which can help curb cravings and keep us from snacking on junk food in between meals.  Fiber is also great at lowering cholesterol levels and regulating blood sugar levels, which can also aid in weight loss.

Nori Salad Dressing

Versatile: 
There are so many different fish and seafood and so many different ways to enjoy them all so you will never get bored with adding delicious seafood creations to your diet.  Be creative and try new flavors and recipes and see which ones are your favorite!  Here are some recipes to help you get started!

Asian Glazed Salmon

Grilled Shrimp

Cajun Fish Tacos