This week's challenge is another food/diet related topic: Eat more seafood. The specific change is to eat two servings per week of 3 to 3 1/2 ounces of seafood. If you love seafood, like we do in our house, this will be a welcome challenge to indulge. However, if you don't like seafood then it will reuire some work. Besides being an excellent source of protein, fish is high in critical fatty accids and rich in vitamins and minerals. The author also included this fun fact:
"Did you know that studies involoving hundreds of thousands of participants indicate that eating approximately one to two 3-ounce servings of fatty fish a week reduces the risk of death from heart disease by 36 percent?"
Yep - Excellent stat. So let's talk about the types of seafood we should be eating and ones to avoid.
First things first: What seafood is "safe" to eat? Techically, this should say all. However, we haven't been good stewards of our environment and there are some species of fish and shellfish that have absorbed high levels of mercury and PCBs. And yes, that's a bad thing. What can you do about this... well, the EPA and FDA have advisories about fish in general as well as specific information for fish in your area. I included a link below for you.
The next thing to consider is sustainability. The sad thing is many species are being overfished and therefore are in danger. Luckily for us, Monterray Bay Aquarium has implemented a program called Seafood Watch. Lots of information on sustainable seafood choices, current threats, and yummy recipes. I've included a link about that as well.
So there you go, eat more fish/seafood and enjoy! I know I will be enjoying this "twist" of my arm.
Other Resources:
Mercury in seafood: http://www.epa.gov/hg/advisories.htm
Seafood Watch: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx
The
book we're following: http://www.amazon.com/52-Small-Cha"nges-Healthier-ebook/dp/B0056J4ER0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1325722556&sr=1-1
Jenn's
blog: http://thewoogies.blogspot.com/search/label/52%20Small%20Changes
