Seafood really is one of the most incredible and nutrient-rich types of food you can eat. It’s packed full of vitamins, minerals, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, which most of us just don’t get enough of. Because it’s so lean and easy to digest, it’s perfect if you’re looking to lose weight or eat better, but lots of types of seafood are also full of flavour or carry flavours well, so it’s a treat as well as being healthy. We absolutely should be getting more seafood onto our plates, not just to eat better but to make the most of the incredible ingredients that we have available to us. As well as white and oily fish, there are all kinds of shellfish, including crustaceans and molluscs (so clams and oysters, amongst other things like fancy lobster tails). There are even eels and octopus, which are part of the seafood category, so if you’re feeling super brave and want to try something new, then there are a ton of options! Read on to find out more about how and why you should eat more seafood.
Nutrition
When it comes to nutrition, there aren’t too many foods that compare to seafood. Just look at the ‘Mediterranean Diet’ which fish plays a big part in. It’s filled with seafood, fruits, vegetables, and olive oil; it’s known to be one of the healthiest ways to eat, with people who live in these places and eat this way live the longest. There’s truth in the old saying about fish making you brainy; it’s excellent for brain health and brain development in children. Studies have shown that children who eat fish regularly are actually calmer and kinder than their peers who eat none at all, which is incredible to think that a type of food can influence behaviour like this. The high protein keeps you full and is needed for muscle repair and body processes, but it doesn’t weigh you down or contain saturated fat in the way that many meats do- we all know how yuck we can sometimes feel after eating greasy or processed meat, so fish avoids that feeling.
Shopping for Seafood
One of the things that puts many people off eating more seafood is knowing how or where to shop for it. Many high streets have now lost their grocers, bakers, butchers, and fishmongers, and with everything packaged in plastic in supermarkets, it can be pretty off-putting and hard to know what’s good. Frozen seafood is a good option if you don’t have too many places to shop for it where you live, because flash freezing helps to preserve the nutrients and keep it fresh. It also means you can space out your meals that contain seafood over the week instead of rushing to eat it before they spoil. Although it does go without saying that if you’re able to buy fresh, then this will always be the best option when it comes to taste and nutrients. If you’re lucky enough to have a good, trusted local fishmonger nearby, then take advantage of this!
Learning New Recipes
Cooking seafood is different from cooking meat, and that can make you feel a bit cautious or dubious about giving it a try. But like with anything you do, the more you practice, the better you’ll get. Start simple with some easy fish recipes and add them to your rotation, like fish cooked in foil with some lemon and herbs, or pan-fried scallops, are the kinds of things that most of us can get right with a bit of practice!