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Last Updated on December 16, 2023
Protein is an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet. Every cell in your body contains protein, and it helps your body repair older cells and create new cells. If you are bored with your regular old chicken and beef dishes, you may want to consider adding seafood protein to your diet.
You can try a variety of seafood options rich in protein by creating your custom seafood box from Know Seafood. Build your personalized seafood box and explore a variety of high-protein choices like succulent shrimp, nutrient-rich salmon, and flavorful cod.
Here are some of the healthiest seafood proteins to incorporate into your home cooking and the health benefits they give you.
Alaskan King Crab
Alaskan King Crab is known for being a buttery, delicious delicacy that is native to the North East region of the United States. However, Alaskan King Crab is an amazing protein to jazz up tired old recipes.
Crab is very rich in high-quality protein. Protein helps repair your cells and tissues, including your nails, bones, and hair, and provides an essential building block for your immune system responses. Shellfish are also known to help lower the risk of developing high blood pressure.
Crab meat is leaner than most other meats, containing 130 calories in one crab leg. Crab legs are also low in fat, and the fat that does reside in them is unsaturated.
Unfortunately, Alaskan King Crab has become scarce, and prices have risen. However, it’s important to compare Alaskan king crab prices before spending an arm and a leg on them! You don’t have to pay top dollar for the delicious Alaskan king for your soups, curries, or just snacking on those legs solo with a little melted butter.
Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon
Salmon is a delicious lean fish that has become a household staple by baking with butter and herbs or adding to salads. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, Vitamin B12, which is fantastic for hair, skin, and bone health. For anyone thinking of switching to a pescatarian diet, know that Alaskan salmon is an excellent source of iron.
Salmon comes in many varieties from the different regions that they’ve been caught from. However, Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon has been recommended as the healthiest to eat. Experts have found that Wild Caught Alaskan varieties of salmon contain low levels of toxic contaminants like mercury and PCBs. Additionally, this species is safe for young children and women who are pregnant or nursing to eat in moderation.
Seafood Watch, a program run by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, has also named Wild-Caught Alaskan Salmon the most eco-friendly fish to eat out of all the salmon varieties.
Tuna
Known as the “heart-healthy fish,” tuna contains essential omega-3 fatty acids that lower cholesterol and blood pressure and improve cardiovascular function. Tuna salad sandwiches, seared tuna, or Nicoise salad are some great and delicious ways to fit this essential fish into your meal plans.
If you plan on including Tuna in your grocery shopping list, one thing to look out for is tuna can contain higher levels of mercury, so pregnant women and young children should avoid it. However, lighter varieties of the fish are generally safer to consume.
Add Seafood To Your Diet
It’s time to consider swapping your more common proteins, like chicken or beef, out for some seafood. Eating various types of seafood is a great way to stock up on essential proteins and nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin B and B12, zinc, iron, and magnesium.
Before stocking up on all your underwater fare, it’s important to be aware that some fish contain fewer levels of contaminants, like mercury or higher levels of nutrients. Consider what your body needs before adding new food to your diet. Adding some of the seafood listed above to your home-cooked meals is a delicious way to stay healthy. If you don’t want to do the work of cooking consider going out to your favorite seafood restaurant to still enjoy the benefits of eating seafood.
