Seafood is a Superfood

As far back in history we can go humans have been eating seafood, both from fresh water streams and the ocean. Some cultures rely very heavily on fish in order to survive even today.

Fish as far as authorities go has never really lost favour as a good reliable healthy food source although there have been regions where it has been recommended that fish are not eaten, such as Gladstone and Sydney Harbour due to pollution of the water, areas of the Pacific Ocean due to the increase in the plastic soup. Some books don’t recommend fish for pregnant women due to the mercury level and others fear the pollutions in the ocean such as DDT and the like which have made our fish toxic. But let’s put this all in perspective.

Fish are wonderful sources of protein, omega 3 fats, zinc, B12, phosphorus, calcium, iron selenium and so much more. I’ve just plucked out a few key nutrients that may be missing form other food sources that would make this food an important part of the diet. Different types of seafood have different attributes, for example oysters are a rich source of zinc and selenium and I believe should be eaten weekly, you only need a few in order to get your nutritional needs. Salmon (wild if you can get it) abounds with omega 3 fats, small fish, the ones at the bottom of the food chain have less pollutants. As most of you know, Inca Inchi Oil has just been released in the Changing Habits store, composing of 48% of omega 3 fatty acids (Alpha-Linolenic), which are the precursors to EPA and DHA (fats found in fish oils), along with 84% of the essential fatty acids. So if fish isn't your thing, Inca Inchi oil will help you out.

There are two types of fish now at your fish market; farmed and wild. Like any domesticated creature most farmed fish are fed a less then adequate diet, it is usually a refined diet with some colours in it to increase the colour of the fish. These fish are often held in crowded conditions in ocean pens or concrete fresh water tanks which means disease is more prevalent and the use of antibiotics is needed. These fish are much like the animals you hear about that have been in feed lots or crowded chicken coops.

Consider this; the chemical composition of a wild animal or fish consuming a wild and natural diet, getting plenty of exercise, and being taken care of by its pack is considerably different than the chemical composition of an animal raised in inhumanely tight and stressful quarters, consuming an unnatural diet of corn and soy and getting very little to no activity. These two types of animals are so different in fact, that one actually makes you healthier when you eat it, while the other makes you sicker. And the same goes for fish.

There is a real problem though with wild fish and the pollutants in our oceans, hormone disruptors from the plastic soup and industrial and agricultural wastes that leak into our water ways and oceans. There is also some concern about the mercury in our fish and as a result there are people who refuse to eat fish. But let’s put this in perspective.

The human body has a wonderful loss system which works brilliantly when we eat real, healthy foods. Green leafy vegetables especially have the ability to draw out toxins from the body. So when you eat fish make sure you have a large salad, with a mix of salad greens and your body will help you rid itself of toxic wastes better then if you gave your self a serving of chips. Let’s face it most food is polluted these days, but lets eat the best of the food so that we can thrive in health and energy.

As much as possible I try to eat beef that grazes on grass and lives with space, I like chicken that is free range and organic and as far as my fish goes I love wild fish and if someone catches it for me, rather then me having to go to the fish market it is like a dream come true.

Ingredients (serves 4)

4 green spring onions – ends trimmed, thinly sliced diagonally

2 TBS ginger – finely shredded

1 long red chilli – deseeded, thinly sliced

1 x 800gms whole snapper – scaled and gutted

2 TBS Mirin

2 TBS Tamari

2 TBS tsp sesame oil

1/4 cup firmly packed fresh coriander leaves

Method

Pre heat oven to 180C fan forced

1. Combine the spring onions, ginger and chilli in a small bowl. Sprinkle one-third of the shallot mixture over a large ovenproof dish. Place the fish on the on the dish. Place half the remaining shallot mixture evenly in the fish cavity. Sprinkle the remaining shallot mixture over the top of the fish.

2. Whisk together the Chinese rice wine, tamari and sesame oil in a small bowl. Pour evenly over the fish cover the fish with tin foil.

3. Place the fish in the oven for approximately 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork in the thickest part. Remove from oven.

4. Sprinkle the fish evenly with coriander. Serve with a fresh leafy green salad and green beans.

Cyndi O’Meara

P.O. Box 104

Mooloolaba Q 4557

International Speaker, Best Selling Author, TV and Radio Presenter.

Awesome results gained from the 21 day healthy weight loss challenge. To obtain this weight loss information go to www.changinghabits.com.au today!