|
Nutrition Notes September 2011
Fish Facts: Health Benefits, Contaminant Concerns, and Responsible Consumption
_______________________________________
|
|
Did you know....
You can freeze raw tomatoes without peeling or blanching them first?
- Fresh tomatoes may be frozen whole, sliced, chopped, or puréed.
- Thawed raw tomatoes may be used in any cooked-tomato recipe.
- Tomatoes should be seasoned just before serving rather than before freezing; freezing may either strengthen or weaken seasonings such as garlic, onion, and herbs.
Get the most up-to-date food preservation info at the
|
|
Fish Facts: Health Benefits, Contaminant Concerns, and Responsible Consumption

It's in just about every magazine you pick up these days: eating fish is good for you. That's because a moderate consumption of fish is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, especially sudden cardiac death. The highest sources of these heart healthy fatty acids are found in wild Alaskan salmon, sardines, Atlantic or Lake herring, halibut (Pacific), and oysters. Eating only two 4 oz servings weekly conveys this benefit.
Besides the heart-health benefits, current research suggests the fatty acids in fish:
- Are essential for healthy brain and retinal development and function for developing fetuses and infants
- Decrease inflammation and may improve rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Raynaud's disease and other autoimmune disorders
- May improve depression and symptoms of other mental health problems
- May reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes
- May reduce binge eating
Some people avoid fish because of their concerns about its safety. The main types of toxins in fish are mercury, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The amount of toxins depends on the type of fish and where it's caught. Large fish such as shark, tilefish, swordfish and king mackerel have higher levels of mercury than smaller fish because they eat the smaller fish, gaining higher concentrations of the toxin. The longer a fish lives, the larger it grows and the more toxins it can collect. Following the guidelines below will allow you to get the health benefits from fish while minimizing your risk for exposure to toxins.
CHILDREN - Avoid known sources of contaminated seafood
- Follow all fish advisories from your local area
- Choose a variety of species
- Avoid raw and undercooked seafood
- DO NOT EAT tilefish, shark, swordfish, king mackerel
- Eat only 6 ounces of white (albacore tuna) per week
ADULT MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE NOT PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING - Avoid known sources of contaminated seafood
- Follow all fish advisories from your local area
- Choose a variety of species
- Avoid raw and undercooked seafood
- If eating raw or undercooked seafood, choose seafood that was previously frozen (kills parasites) and handle safely
WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING - Avoid known sources of contaminated seafood
- Follow all fish advisories from your local area
- Choose a variety of species
- Avoid raw and undercooked seafood
- Thoroughly cook all seafood (including refrigerated types of seafood, e.g. lox, smoked trout)
- DO NOT EAT tilefish, shark, swordfish, king mackerel
- Eat only 6 ounces of white (albacore tuna) per week
In Minnesota specifically the MN Dept of Health safe eating guidelines recommends avoiding Minnesota caught walleye larger than 20 inches, northern pike longer than 30 inches, and muskellunge. If you live in a different state, check your local health department or department of natural resources for guidelines in your area.
The over-fishing of certain species is another large concern. But there are ways to be responsible in our consumption. Greenpeace recently published an extensive report, State of the Oceans, which grades supermarkets for their efforts on sustainable practices. The top 4 ratings went to Safeway, Target, Wegmans, and Whole Foods. Sadly, my favorite store Trader Joe's was 12th on the list. You can make a difference by shopping at higher rated grocers and asking questions at fish counters where you shop: ask where the fish is coming from and what they are doing to promote sustainable fishing practices.
You can also download a pocket guide that's right for your region to help you choose ocean-friendly seafood wherever you live or travel. If you prefer they are available as apps for your iPhone or Android phone. For the midwest region, fish on the Avoid list (because they are overfished or caught or farmed in ways that harm other marine life or the environment) include:
Caviar, Sturgeon (imported wild) Chilean Seabass/Toothfish Cod: Atlantic (trawled, Canada and US) Crab: King (imported) Flounders, Halibut, Soles (US Atlantic, except Summer Flounder) Groupers (Hawaii, US Atlantic) Lobster: Spiny (Brazil) Mahi Mahi (imported longline) Monkfish Orange Roughy Salmon (farmed, including Atlantic) Sharks Shrimp (imported) Snapper: Red Swordfish (imported) Tilapia (Asia farmed) Trout: Lake (Lake Huron and Michigan) Tuna: Albacore, Bigeye, Skipjack, Tongol, Yellowfin (except troll/pole) Tuna: Bluefin Tuna: Canned (except troll/pole)* Yellowtail (imported farmed)
If you're a sushi lover, you can get a Sushi Guide for your next visit to the sushi bar. So don't give up eating fish, just be a wise consumer of your choices!
* It's not easy to find troll/pole caught canned tuna but some brands include American Tuna, Pacific Fleet, MaryLu Seafoods, Wild Planet, and Wild Pacific Seafood. If you can't find them at your grocer's, they can be ordered online.
|
|
Contact Me
If you or someone you know needs help improving their health, click here to send me a message.
|
|
Cedar Plank Salmon With Maple-Ginger Glaze
 You can also cook this in a covered outdoor grill. Start checking for doneness after about 12 minutes. - 1 2-to-3-pound skin-on center-cut wild-caught salmon fillet (about 1 1/2 inches thick)
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 2-inch piece ginger, peeled and grated
- Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Soak 1 large cedar grilling plank (15 by 6 inches) in a baking dish of water, about 2 hours; put a plate or mug on top to keep the plank submerged. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Sprinkle the salmon with the coriander, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Let stand at room temperature about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the maple syrup, ginger, lemon zest and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until slightly thickened, about 7 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and set aside. Remove the cedar plank from the water and pat dry. Place the plank directly on the oven rack and preheat about 15 minutes. Using tongs or oven mitts, remove the hot plank from the oven and place the fish, skin-side down, on the wood. Brush the fish with half of the ginger glaze. Transfer the fish on the plank to the oven; put a baking sheet on the rack below to catch any drips. Cook until the salmon is just firm and slightly golden on top, about 12 minutes. Remove the fish from the oven and change the oven setting to broil. Brush the remaining ginger glaze over the salmon and broil until golden, 2 to 3 more minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest 5 minutes on the plank before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature. Serves 6-8. From www.foodnetwork.com
Roasted Tomato, Onion, and Garlic Soup I made this soup this weekend and it was yummy! The flavors of the roasted vegetables give the soup a wonderful depth of flavor and it's a great way to use your bumper crop of tomatoes before they go bad! 3 pounds fresh flavorful tomatoes (mix of heirlooms, cherry, and plum tomatoes) 6 cloves whole garlic, peeled (soak unpeeled cloves in water for 10 minutes--they peel easily!) 2 small yellow onions, cut in large slices 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 tsp each sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/4-1/2 tsp crushed red chilis (depending on how spicy you like things) 1 quart low sodium organic chicken broth 2 bay leaves 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves or 2 tbsp dried basil leaves (not powdered) 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half) Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Wash, core and cut the tomatoes into halves. Don't worry about peeling them. Place in a large bowl with the garlic, onions, olive oil, salt and black pepper, and crushed red chilis. Mix well. Spread the mixture on a baking tray lined with foil. Roast for 30 minutes, or until caramelized. Remove roasted tomatoes, garlic and onion from the oven and transfer to a large stock pot. Add 3 cups of the chicken stock, bay leaves, and butter. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until liquid has reduced by a third. Remove bay leaves. Add the basil and the heavy cream. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Return the soup to low heat and adjust consistency with remaining chicken broth if needed. Readjust seasonings; add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serves 4-6. |
|
|
Sincerely,
Sharon Lehrman, MPH, RD, LD Nutrition Health and Wellness
Copyright 2011 Sharon Lehrman, All Rights Reserved.
This website is for informational and educational purposes only. The information provided is not intended as a substitute for the care of a doctor. If you suspect that you have a health problem, we urge you to contact your physician or local hospital for care.
|
|
|
|
Contact Me
If you or someone you know needs help improving their health, click here to send me a message.
|
|
|
|
|