Meal Planning: Why Fish Is The Better Option

Meal Planning: Why Fish Is The Better Option

Did you ever wonder what’s the best protein to store in your freezer? Fish and meat are in the same food group but they are somewhat different when it comes to nutritional value. Men and women age 19 to 50 are recommended by the U.S Department of Agriculture, to eat at least 5 to 6 ½ ounces of protein every day. That includes meat, fish, poultry, soy products, peas, beans, and seeds.

Though meat and fish are still grouped together by many health-related organizations, there are some people with health issues who seek help on which protein is best to consume. When you understand the benefits of eating meat versus eating fish, you’ll most likely start to wonder why they are still grouped together in the same food category.

By understanding the health benefits of fish, you maximize your chances of staying healthy. It allows you to make the best food choices for the kind of lifestyle you want to live. Here are facts on fish and meat that you need to know.

According to the “Seafood Vs. Meat”, a Demand Media article, meat contains more saturated fat compared to fish. If we talk about fat content, eating a 3 ounce piece of Salmon has less than 1 gram of saturated fat while a 3 ounce meat of sirloin cut has more than 3 grams. Obviously, if you want to prevent the risk of getting heart diseases, it’s pretty obvious what kind of protein to choose.

Though the amount of saturated fat in fish is amazing, its “good fat” is what’s outstanding. Fish contains different types of unsaturated fat that can help lower down cholesterol and improve heart function. One of its unsaturated fats is called omega-3 fatty acid, and people who have this kind of diet relatively have lower triglycerides – the bad fat that causes weight gain and obesity, high blood pressure, and other health related issues.

Reports from Harvard Health Publications say that triglycerides are something we all should worry about. As the triglycerides count increases, you put yourself at risk of having major health problems. They suggest that herring, tuna, sardines, trout, and mackerel and salmon are all good sources of this healthy fatty acid. If you’re not a fan of eating fish, you can buy omega 3 products that can supplement your body’s needs for it.

Reports also say that eating a diet high in omega-3 reduces the risk of asthma, arthritis and depression. In fact, according to a CNN report “The Benefits Of Eating Fish”, omega-3 can prevent the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease as well. Although this is something we can worry about further down the line, it’s still good to think about the possibilities and making preventative measures to fight it. Fish are also high in selenium which help reduce the risk of cancer.

One of the best examples in this regard is Japan. This country has the highest rates of active and healthy elderly people and it’s all props to their all year-round seafood diet.

If you research the health benefits of meat, you can’t really find any section that informs you about it reducing the risk of any particular disease.

Yes, meat has a lot of vitamins and minerals. It contains Vitamin B6 and B12, niacin, iron and zinc, but the saturated fat content of it can be a bit overwhelming. Nevertheless, if you are a meat lover, you should take meat as a treat rather than the main component of your meals. If you can’t get enough of it, here are a few tips that can at least help you make meat a little healthier.

  • Avoid red meat

  • Choose lean meats like chicken or turkey

  • Trim the fat before you cook it

  • Rather than fried, broiled or grilled is the better option.

  • Try to avoid eating the inside organs like the liver, kidneys or the brain

  • Avoid the regular ground meats and choose the lean ones

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