Benefits of Eating Seafood

It is a known fact that fish is much healthier than meat and contains less fat and calories. It is easier to digest by our bodies, is pure protein (100g of fish contains half the recommended daily amount of protein) and contains omega 3 and essential fatty acids that help brain function and development, heart health and prevent certain types of health issues and diseases. In countries such as Spain, Italy and Greece, where fish is a main part of the diet, people are known to have healthier lives.

Since fish is easy to digest, it should be an essential part of the diet for children, the sick and elderly.

There are 3 types of fish; white fish, oily fish and shellfish. White fish is rich in vitamin B12 while oily fish is rich in vitamins A, B12, D and iron. Although shellfish is high in cholesterol, it is not harmful to the body, and in some way, may benefit in the reduction of bad cholesterol.

A Guide to Cooking Fish

The Goodies in Fish:

Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids – promotes brain function and development, healthy hearts, fights cancer and inflammatory disease

Vitamin D - helps the absorption of calcium which then forms and maintains strong bones

Vitamin B12 – healthy nerve cell function, helps make red blood cells

Vitamin B6 – healthy brain and nerve cell function, helps make red blood cells

Thiamin/Vitamin B1 –healthy heart, muscle, nervous systems, converts carbs to energy

Niacin/Vitamin B3 – healthy nerve cell function and skin, converts food to energy

Iron – needed for red blood cells to carry oxygen around body

Phosphorous – healthy teeth and bones, needed for all cell membranes

Zinc – healthy growth, heals wounds, immune system

Calcium – develops and maintains strong bones and teeth, supports functioning of heart, nerves and muscles

Selenium – NZ’s soil lacks this important mineral. Protects cells, healthy thyroid and joints.

Magnesium – healthy bones, muscles, nerves, blood

Potassium – Healthy muscles, nerves, regulates blood pressure

Protein – building blocks of life - forms, maintains and replaces body tissues, e.g.  skin, muscles, organs, glands (see http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002467.htm) The protein you eat is broken down by the digestive juices into amino acids. These amino acids then make your body’s protein like skin and muscles. Essential amino acids must come from food (e.g. fish and shellfish).