10 Seafood Facts That Will Change How You Eat Fish Forever
Updated: Oct. 04, 2018Yes, some fish contain mercury and yes, some of the rumours about farmed fish are true, but we got the facts on seafood so you can eat this superfood worry-free.
Why you should know more about fish now
There’s no doubt that fish is a vital protein with plenty of brain-boosting, heart-loving, inflammation-busting nutrients. According to a Tufts University study, eating seafood helps prevent some 54,000 deaths from heart disease and stroke each year. Dietary Guidelines recommend eating at least two to three servings (or 8 to 12 ounces) of seafood each week. And while over half of the seafood consumed in the U.S. is entirely from three categories (salmon, shrimp, and canned tuna), there are a lot more tasty, nutritious, and safe fish to try.
Here are the best fish sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Stop looking for organic seafood
Experts call organic seafood the Wild West, since there’s no such official designation. “There are European and foreign organic standards, and labels may refer to those, but it is important to remember that these are legally meaningless in [the U.S.],” says Larry Olmsted, author of Real Food, Fake Food. “Manufacturers may or may not adhere to standards and can put any organic claims they want on seafood labels.” That doesn’t mean all fish is of equal quality.
Seek out sustainable
When choosing seafood, always choose varieties that are considered sustainable, meaning it’s caught or farmed in eco-friendly ways. Here’s how to know if the beautiful fillet on special is sustainable: Download the free Seafood Watch app on your smartphone, which recommends what should or shouldn’t buy in terms of sustainable seafood. “Use it at the fish counter when shopping for seafood, at a restaurant while you are dining out, or when you’re looking for retailers in your area that source sustainable seafood,” says Nathan Lyon, a chef, cookbook author, and sustainable ambassador for the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Look beyond salmon and shrimp
So-called “trash fish” or underappreciated species such as lionfish, rockfish, cape shark, pollock, and redfish, are readily available, inexpensive and tasty, but people don’t know much about them. That’s beginning to change, however, as chefs get behind this movement. “Pollock is just as good as cod, porgy is so flavourful that you can use it just like you use bass, and cape shark is one of the most used fish in England for fish & chips,” says Seadon Shouse, chef at Halifax in Hoboken, New Jersey, who routinely turns “trash fish” into treasure. “Redfish is a quite delicate fish, like fluke of flounder, so it works well paired with mild flavoured sauces such as a lemon parsley butter or a picatta.”
Try these 10 Brain-Boosting Seafood Recipes.
Mind your mercury
While swordfish, shark, tilefish, and King mackerel are known to contain mercury, which can negatively affect the central nervous system, the average person won’t get mercury poisoning from eating recommended amounts of commercially sold seafood (meaning, seafood that is sold in restaurants and supermarkets), says Rima Kleiner, a dietitian and blogger at Dish on Fish. Women of childbearing age (16–49), pregnant and breastfeeding women, and young children should seek out fish that’s lower in mercury. If you’re in any of those categories, it’s recommended that you eat two to three servings (8-12 ounces for adults and children over age 10, smaller amounts for younger children) of a variety of fish and shellfish each week.
Check out 27 Foods You Should Never Ever Buy Again.
If it’s farmed, ask questions
There are grave concerns about farm-raised fish, including the fact that the fish are often given antibiotics and treated with pesticides. But not all farmed fish is off the table. If the fish are processed at a reputable place where they don’t use antibiotics or pesticides, farmed fish isn’t terrible, according to Matt Bell, meat and seafood senior category manager at Dean & DeLuca, a gourmet grocery chain in New York City. And farmed fish does have some notable benefits. “As demand has gone up for seafood, so has the need to farm fish. Farmed fish can be a good alternative to depleting our oceans and over fishing. Aquaculture done right is a way to supplement the wild caught fisheries and preserve the environment.” Farmed seafood also affords the consumer year-round product availability, consistency, and variety. “Like any farm there are good and bad farmers, so it’s important to know the farming practices that are used from where you are sourcing,” he adds. The staff at the fish counter should have some background information about the farms, so don’t hesitate to ask.
Choose fish that boosts brain power
If you’re seeking fish that are best for your brain—e.g. the ones with the most omega-3 fatty acids, which boost cognitive function and working memory—seek out varieties such as Alaskan salmon, Atlantic mackerel, sardines, anchovies, and freshwater trout. “These are packed with these healthy fatty acids and are extremely low in toxins,” says Bell.
Check out the other best brain foods you should be eating.
Take advantage of the whole
For some chefs, it’s time to eat more of the fish we’ve already caught instead of focusing on new or overlooked species of fish. “Over the past few years I have been utilizing what I consider to be the true trash fish, the parts of the fish typically thrown in the trash,” says Michael Nelson, a chef at GW Fins in New Orleans. “I’m turning the fish collars, cheeks, skin, fans, balloons, and even scales into innovative new preparations.” (To be safe, leave the scales to the pros.)
Check out 4 Chef’s Recipes for Grilled Fish Marinade.
Get seafood savvy
If you’ve purchased seafood at the market and noticed a slight fishy smell to it, that’s actually normal, says Lyon. “Just rinse the seafood under cold water and pat dry, and the smell will disappear,” he says. “That said, if the fish has a strong odour like ammonia, discard it immediately.” Always investigate your local market’s delivery schedule and make sure there’s plenty of turnover. “Many smaller markets get deliveries daily with the exception of Sundays,” says Bell. “We depend on quicker turnovers in inventory to keep product at peak freshness. A ‘shopped’-looking fish case at the end of the day means you’re getting fresh fish first thing in the morning.”
Here’s how to get rid of the fish smell in the kitchen.
Don’t fear frozen fish
If you don’t have access to a top-notch seafood store or seafood department at your local supermarket, consider this chef tip: Frozen fish is a great choice. “Fish are usually frozen immediately after being caught,” Lyon says. “This means that frozen seafood is often of a higher quality than what you find fresh at the seafood counter (and it’s less expensive too).” Tip: To thaw seafood, place it in the refrigerator.
