The Importance of Seafood
There is so much mixed information out there about seafood. Some say that it is the healthiest form of protein because it is "low in saturated fat" and high in omega-3 essential fatty acids. Of course I don’t really buy into the idea that saturated fat is the villain (here’s why). So that argument is lost on me. I do, however, believe that seafood contains certain essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that our bodies require.
The Problem With Seafood
Most of us have heard of the toxins that can come with fish, especially the larger ones. Mercury and other toxic chemicals have made their way into our waters and we now have to be careful what types of fish and seafood we consume as well as how much.
Seafood can also be very expensive. At my local health food store I can get grass-fed ground meat for less than $4/lb. Wild-caught fish from our local great lake is generally at least twice that much. So the question becomes is it worth purchasing if I can get the same-sized portion of quality meat at half the price?
It’s Worth the Cost
I believe that it is worth it. I have been reading Dr. Weston Price’s book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration. I really think it should be mandatory that everyone read this book before Nourishing Traditions. It is the why behind the how. It is straight forward, logical, and I am not sure how you could argue with his findings and conclusions.
Dr. Price studied indigenous tribes at various stages of integration with the industrialized western food system. He found that those with the least amount of contact with the industrialized food system had the most robust health. The common denominator amongst those people with robust health, from what I can tell, seems to be the fat soluble vitamins – A, D, E, & K.
Another common denominator was the lengths to which these tribes would go to obtain fish and seafood. In one case I read of two neighboring tribes who were engaged in brutal warfare. Yet, in the middle of the night, the tribe closest to the sea would put out seafood in a chosen location and allow the other tribe to trade their land-locked foods for the seafood, without any threat. They did not need books, television, or advertisements to tell them what to eat. They just knew because it was passed down from generation to generation.
It is no surprise, then, that seafood is listed as one of the best sources for vitamins A and D by the Weston A Price Foundation’s research. Of course cod liver oil is also listed as a good source.
Making It Work
Most of us aren’t able to afford to eat as much fish and seafood as we’d like. Because of that I look at it like a supplement. When their is a little extra left in our grocery budget I purchase wild-caught fish and occasionally shrimp. It is expensive, but the once a month or so that we are able to afford it becomes a treat as well as a boost in nourishment.
Resources
Here are a few final tidbits of information for you:
- On the occasions that we are able to purchase fish I try to seek out sustainable, wild-caught seafood which you can find here.
- Recipe: Salmon Cakes with Lemon-Caper Butter.
- Recipe: Mexican Style Salmon Cakes with Garlic-Herb Creme Fraiche.
- I’ve written about The Importance of Vitamin D before.
- Their are other excellent supplements that can help you get your dose of fat-soluble vitamins.
- You can find Dr. Price’s book and other books on real/traditional foods here.
Interesting post, Shannon. I’ve learned so much from reading here!
What a great and healthy tackle:-)
I recently discovered our local supermarket I frequent has wild caught salmon, tuna, and mahi-mahi. It’s sold under the Full Circle label, which is also the organics label for this store. In one package, there are two fillet’s about 6oz each. So for 6.77 a package, this will feeds half my family. Honestly, the fish is fresher than the “fresh” salmon in the fish case. I refuse to buy fish from the case because it never looks right.
It’s a bit pricier than what I like to pay for meat, but I figure it’s fished from sustainable waters by sustainable methods and we use it once every two weeks or so.
Seafood in our land-locked state is SO expensive that it’s quite the luxury when we do indulge!
(Hey Shannon, check your email – you won something, my dear!)
Same here. In our land locked state (Colorado), fish is super expensive.
I do take fermented cod liver oil though. And I put concentrace minerals in our reverse osmosis water so hopefully we’re getting what our bodies need.
I do regret that we don’t eat enough seafood in our home (though we do take cod liver oil!). I’ve had trouble finding good quality wild-caught fish at our local stores. Any tips for where to look?
I am fortunate that seafood isn’t too expensive here in South Florida. Sometimes I think I must have been a bear in a past life, because that picture of raw salmon makes me salivate 😉
I am able to get local wild caught shrimp at about $10/lb so I stock up when I can (noone else in my family will eat them). I also check Costco as they have wild salmon (fresh) and have wild caught frozen seafood from Alaska as well. Costco also carries sardines in olive oil (use to have soybean too – bleh) which are awesome, as well as pickled herring. I’ve decided for my “treat” this year I’m going to get me a package of their smoked wild salmon. Can’t wait !!!
When I click through your link to books/ other resources, there is nothing listed. I try to click on the headings but this doesn’t work. Can you help?
The importance of the omega fatty acids in seafood can never be underestimated for brain health. Seafood is perhaps one reason the regions who use it as a staple in their diets are much healthier and do not suffer nearly as much from neurodegenerative diseases.
You may consider finding a rancher that you can purchase a beef from and then locate a butcher plant to have it processed. The rancher may transport it to the plant for a small fee. We are blessed to be able to raise our own grass fed cattle on a ranch in Southwestern Oklahoma/Texas Panhandle. No shots, no hormones,no antibiotics, nothing except the black leg inoculation required by law. There are no close runoff areas of cultivation to contaminate the soil or water with herbicides or chemical fertilizers. Our cost per pound of beef usually averages $2.79 per pound, including butchering, transport, and all. Every one says it is the best beef they ever ate. Forget that cardboard hamburger from Walmart.
my grandpa is a little oldie but sometimes the things he say to me makes me wonder.. you know the oil spill is going on in the u.s. my grandpa is telling me and my family too stay away from all seafood.. do you think that is a priority for right now?
i would like to have some seafood in one of my meals a day.i still wonder what choice would be better but wild caught salmon is one of my best.