Lifestyle-related diseases have been traced to dietary habits. People have realized the role of fish and seafood in the maintenance and enhancement of health.
Fish and seafood is a high-protein food that is low in calories. Low-fat species have less than 100 calories per 3-ounce compared to pork to about 250 calories and beef at about 175 calories.
Most fish and seafood have less than 5 percent total fat and are rich in vitamins and minerals. It is high in omega-3 fatty acids known to have therapeutic benefits.
How To Identify The Quality Of Seafood?
Buying fish is easy, but getting it fresh is hard, especially if it’s frozen. A stale fish will leave an aftertaste in your seafood dish, and a decayed fish will keep it smelly.
Whether you go to a fish market or a grocery store to buy fish, you must have the smarts to buy fresh seafood. A product marked frozen does not mean that it has a low-grade quality. Fish labeled as “frozen seafood” can have superior quality than fresh ones, this means it was frozen when fresh.
Avoid prepared fish like marinated or stuffed fish, this is a disguise to hide the poor quality of fish.
Get some inspiration from this guide that we prepared to help you buy fresh fish.
Criteria For Choosing Fish And SeaFood
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- You don’t have to rely on others’ opinions to use your senses to determine freshness and quality.
- The smell should be like the fresh sea, with no unpleasant odor, avoid buying if it smells like ammonia or garlicky.
- Scales should be shiny with a metallic luster and do not detach.
- The eyes should be clear, vibrant, and vivid.
- To lift the gills, it should be bright red or pink in colour.
- Gently push the flesh with your finger, it springs back when fresh. The flesh should be smooth and slippery.
The shells of clams, oysters, and mussels should look soggy and tightly closed. Tap the shell of clams and mussels, it should show movement. The meat should be covered with their liquor and there should be no strong odor.
Crabs and lobsters should show some activity. The lobster’s tail should not hang down when picked up.
There should be no darkened edges or black marks on the shrimp’s shell.
The meat of the squid should be firm, eyes are clear and full. Fresh squid has skin untorn, creamy with reddish-brown spots.
Health Benefits Of Eating Fish
Fish supply the essential nutrients that the human body lacks. It is packed with proteins and vitamin D to keep your body slim and your muscles in shape. The omega-3 oil in fatty fish is good for the heart and brain.
Make sure to include this aquatic creature in your grocery list to enjoy more health benefits of fish.
Lowers Symptoms Of Depression
A depressed person feels sadness and loses interest in activities that were once enjoyed, it’s like carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Depression results from low levels of brain chemicals called eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
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EPA and DHA can be found in omega-3 acids from fatty fish. Omega-3 reduces the dangers of depression and helps reduce triglyceride levels to promote heart health.
Improve Vision
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the middle part of the vision for people in their 5os and 60s. It makes reading and recognition difficult, but not total blindness. A clinical study gave female patients DHA and EPA nutrients found in omega-3, to treat AMD. Regular consumers have a decreased risk of AMD and may benefit from primary prevention in the long term.
Another study supported the efficacy of EPA and DHA to treat AMD. Consuming oily fish rich in fatty acids at least once a week halved the risk of suffering from AMD.
Fight Acne
People with acne have low omega-3 EPA levels and an increased level of inflammatory markers. The omega-3 EPA in fish fills the deficiency and the anti-inflammatory properties block the pathway that causes inflammation.
Researchers suggest that omega-3 is a helpful supplement to stop acne before it starts.
Increase Concentration and Attention
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People lacking omega-3 have poor memory, mood swings, fatigue, and depression. Fatty fish are rich in omega-3 acids that support memory, mental performance, and behavioral function. Fish abundant in fatty acids include salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, sardines, pilchards, and kipper.
Stay Well, Stay Healthy
Fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients that can treat various health conditions.
What’s more, fish is a versatile food that is easy to prepare. Fry it coated with your blend of batter; season it with salt and pepper then grill or pan sear; others marinate the fish meat with vinegar, salt, pepper, onion, ginger, and pepper.
Fish has a flavor that can stand on its own, whichever preparation you make it will still be delicious.
Eat well, stay healthy and add fish to your diet.
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Who Is The Author?
Ian Baker
Ian Baker handles content marketing at Happy Leaf Collective. There are 5 years that he is deeply involved in the cannabis field. He has 3 years of experience as a Budtender and thanks to his desire to achieve more, he has a career move. Currently, he works as a content manager.
