by Katarzyna Radzka

Created on: August 19, 2010

Eating fish has many health benefits but it’s not always the most popular choice when it comes to your diet. Pork, beef and chicken are consumed more often but they don’t contain the same amount of benefits. Eating fish two or three times a week will benefit your health much more than other types of meat. So what makes fish so healthy?

Fish is very low in fat. Once you take away the bones what you get is a lean fillet which is very high in protein with few calories. Meat on the other hand is likely to have a lot more fat and not as many health benefits. Aim to add 100g of fish to your meals three times a week. Alternate between fresh, canned and smoked varieties. The average serving of fish will give you about 25g of protein.

Oily fish like salmon, tuna and cod may contain a lot more fat than other varieties but it has even more health benefits. The fat in fish is the good type of fat which includes omega-3 and omega-6 oils. These oils are necessary for healthy joints, muscles, eyes, hair, nails and skin. Most people in the western world don’t get enough omega vitamins and consume supplements rather than fish. Two servings of tuna, salmon, or cod can provide your body with the omega-3 and 6 vitamins it requires. Eat more fatty fish and enjoy a better memory and improved brain function for a long time to come.

For a balanced diet it’s important to include a serving of fish a few times a week. Other than protein and essential fatty acids, fish also contains many other vitamins and minerals.  When choosing fish be wary of shark, mackerel and swordfish as they may contain excessive levels of mercury that may not be as healthy for you especially if you’re pregnant.

Improve your cardiovascular health, lower your cholesterol and reduce the chance of developing diabetes. Eating fish regularly is going to help you do just that. With so many benefits to eating this delicious white meat there’s no reason to avoid it. Make sure you buy fresh fish and don’t leave it in the fridge for too long. Try eating sashimi at a sushi restaurant for a bit of variety. Salmon and tuna sashimi have become very popular in the Western part of the world and they include plenty of health benefits not to be missed.

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