Monday, December 3, 2007

Eat Like a Pirate

One dietary debate is whether meat is vital to maintain decent health. Vegetarians and Vegans may not think so but when looking at the science behind the argument things clarify. Meat is another conditional component of the diet that relies on proper amounts and types in order to be adequate.

Dietitians state that white meats are healthier than red meats. This is generally true, however, it is becoming more commonly known that red meat contains a certain amino acid that cannot be obtained through any other food. When looking at the big picture it appears fish is the healthiest meat.

Certain countries or cultures have specific diets based on what their environment offers. Countries that eat lost of seafood such as Japan and the Scandinavian region boast the best health. Fish, which smells awful, is high in protein and low in fat. Fish oil is available in the form of supplemental pills and contains fats with Omega 3, which studies show contribute significantly to fat loss. The fat loss was most obvious in the abdominal region based on studies done by Australian Pharmaceutical Companies. Australia is another country with a generalized diet based on fish as a source of protein.

In order for fish oil to take maximum effect it should be taken 3 times daily, as directed on the bottles. Diet Meals Recipes, an online magazine, published an article on the healthiest countries in September this year and Portugal rated as the healthiest country. They eat one serving of fish per day because it is a convenient source of food since Portugal is a coastal country. The least healthy country in terms of nutrition is Ukraine where fish is not as commonly eaten as other meats such as poultry and beef.

The Department of Health promotes incorporating fish into the diet but warns against careless fish selection. Mercury is especially dangerous to pregnant women and children. Traces of mercury are in all fish but certain types that contain abnormally high levels are Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel and Tilefish. These fish are okay to eat for a full grown healthy person that is not pregnant but only when eaten on occasion. Shrimp, Tuna, Salmon, Pollock and Catfish are low in mercury levels and can be the protein base of a diet.

It figures that the healthiest meat tastes the worst, like salty ocean water. It would be smart to make fish a part of your diet and find a method to prepare it or cook it that makes it appetizing. Certain natural ways to make fish taste less fishy are cooking it with citrus juice and using crushed nuts as a crusty coating.

There are even different levels of nutritious rich fish. Salmon is more of a fatty fish while Sole and Tilapia are leaner fish that are very light in calories compared to others.

In order to be eaten safely fish must be stored and or prepared correctly to avoid sickness. The challenge of eating healthy is enjoying it so learning to cook creatively is a must. Don't be scared to eat anything from the sea because it smells bad just do some basic research and earn how to eat healthy while enjoying yourself. Anything can be made to taste good.

1 comment:

Michael J. Fitzgerald said...

Seafood is a favorite of mine, but having once had some bad shellfish, well, it can be a real toilet hugger - or worse.

Interesting piece that seems to have hit most of the right buttons.

And the headline is pretty clever.