FitSugar

Healthy Eating Tip: Eat Two Different Fish a Week

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:00:10 -0700

Many people are worried about high mercury counts in fish, so they're swearing off seafood. The thing is, many types of fish are low in saturated fat, are an excellent source of lean protein, and are high in essential heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. I'm not saying that mercury is something to overlook, since this toxin can cause brain damage, and possibly cancer, but it doesn't mean you need to give up fish entirely.

It's safe to eat fish twice a week (up to 12 ounces), but you should choose two different types of fish to get a variety of nutrients. Good sources of low-mercury fish are shrimp, oysters, scallops, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, flounder, sole, halibut, and catfish. Young children, women trying to get pregnant, those already pregnant, and nursing moms are considered "high risk," since too much mercury can affect developing brains. So for those people, the EPA recommends limiting intake of seafood that's high in mercury such as swordfish, golden bass, golden snapper, and shark.

Trying to meet your fish "quota" doesn't need to be boring. Try poached salmon with curried yogurt sauce or halibut stir-fry for dinner tonight.

Fights the Blues With Fish

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:00:00 -0700

When thinking of food as medicine, we have gotten a little reductive. By trying to find the one active ingredient that makes a food healthy, we have forgotten about the food itself. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish have been found to fight inflammation and reduce depression. But popping a fish oil supplement, rather than eating the fish, means you are missing out on the minerals and lean protein fish provide.

Here's another reason to add one to two servings of fish to your weekly menu. In an international breakdown of nutrition and mental health by country, researchers found that as fish consumption went up, depression rates went down. In countries where people eat the most fish - Japan, Thailand, and Hong Kong - the rates of depression were low. Conversely, countries with low fish consumption had higher rates of depression, including the US, New Zealand, and parts of Europe.The secret ingredient is the omega-3s. Rather than taking a supplement, try eating the fish for all the nutrition this lean protein can provide.

Not sure where to start when it comes to cooking with fish? For some tasty, healthy recipes featuring fish and shellfish with high amounts of omega-3s, read more.

The Skinny On: Mercury and Fish Oil Supplements

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Eating fish is a great way to get your fill of essential omega-3 fatty acids. This healthy fat can help fight obesity, improve your mood, prevent chronic aches and pains, and keep your heart healthy. If you're not a fan of preparing or eating fish, then you may opt for the convenience of fish oil capsules instead. You may have wondered how safe these supplements are when it comes to mercury levels or toxic pollutants found in some species of fish.

To find out, read more.

Studies show that most fish oil supplements contain little or no mercury since they're made from cod, anchovies, and sardines. These types of fish are lower on the food chain, so they live shorter lives and accumulate less mercury. Most companies distill their fish oils too, which helps remove any contaminants such as dioxins or PCBs. So if you're worried about getting too much mercury from eating fish, taking fish oil supplements is a safe choice. Also, look for the USP seal on your nutritional supplements.

Fish Breakdown: Omegas and Mercury

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Fish is a great source for lean protein. Fish is part of a healthy eating plan. Fish provides much lacking omega-3 fatty acids to our diets. OK, I get it. Message received. Eat fish.

The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice weekly to help reach the recommendation of consuming 1.1 grams of omega-3 fats a day. Although fish is a great source of these healthy fats, you have to be careful about ingesting too much mercury, especially if you're pregnant. Expecting moms should stick to types of fish that have mercury levels of 1 part per million (ppm) or lower. The rest of us can safely consume fish with mercury levels that average 5.5 ppm. So take a look at the chart below to see where the fish you eat falls on the spectrum.

	Mercury in parts per million (ppm)	Omega-3s in grams per 3 oz. serving
Canned Tuna	.12	.17 - .24
Shrimp	below the level of detection	.29
Polluck	.06	.45
Salmon	.01	1.1 - 1.9
Cod	.11	.15 - .24
Catfish	.05	.22 - .3
Clams	below the level of detection	.25
Flounder or Sole	.05	.48
Crabs	.06	.27 - .4
Scallops	.05	.18 - .34

If you don't see your favorite seafood on the list then read more.

	Mercury in parts per million (ppm)	Omega-3s in grams per 3 oz. serving
Lobster	.31	.07 - .46
Grouper	.55	.23
Halibut	.26	.6 - 1.12
Oysters	below the level of detection	.37 - 1.14
Mahi mahi	.19	.13
Herring	.04	1.9 - 2
Shark	.99	.83
Swordfish	.97	.97
Golden bass or golden snapper	1.45	.9
King mackerel	.73	.36
Fresh or frozen tuna	.38	.21 - 1.1
Red snapper	.6	.29
Orange roughy	.54	.03

Fit's Tip: Since it may be tough to consume 1.1 grams of omega-3 fatty acids a day solely from fish, remember that flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, omega-3 enriched foods, and fish oil supplements are also great sources for this healthy fat.

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There's Something Fishy About Farm-Raised Tilapia

FitSugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0700

I always assumed that all fish was healthy, but it seems the nutritional benefits of farm-raised tilapia aren't as wonderful as we thought. A new study reveals that this type of popular fish actually contains very low amounts of the healthy omega-3s our bodies need, and very high levels of omega-6s. Tilapia has a higher amount of omega-6s than 80-percent-lean hamburger, doughnuts, and even bacon. Researchers say this combination of fatty acids could be potentially dangerous for people with heart disease, arthritis, asthma, and other allergic and auto-immune diseases.

When it comes to omega-3s and omega-6s, you do need them both, but a healthy ratio is one omega-3 fatty acid to four omega-6 fatty acids. The western diet contains a much higher ratio of omega-6s. Having too many omega-6 fatty acids in relation to omega-3s can lead to a number of health problems, including obesity and heart disease. Omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties, which are beneficial for people with inflammation diseases, but since tilapia is high in omega-6s and low in omega-3s, this fish would not make the best choice. Fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon (wild is better) are a much better option.

I'm curious if this news is going to change your relationship to tilapia, one of the most commonly eaten fish in the US? Let me know in the comments section below.

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5 Reasons to Love Omega-3 Fatty Acids

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0700

The age of nonfat foods seems to be drawing to a close as the benefits of certain fats, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, make the headlines almost daily. Found mostly in cold-water fish like salmon (here's my new favorite wild salmon recipe), omega-3s do some wonderful things for your body. Here are five of them.

Keeps the aches and pains at bay: Recent studies at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that taking a fish-oil supplement for 20 to 30 days relieved chronic back and neck pain. This may be due to omega-3's ability to fight inflammation.
Fights obesity with fat: Omega-3s improve the body's response to insulin by stimulating the secretion of leptin. Leptin is an hormone that helps regulate not only food intake, but body weight and metabolism as well.
Improves your mood: This form of fat has been shown to stabilize and lessen mood swings as well as decrease depression by helping the brain create the feel-good brain chemical serotonin.

There's a couple more reasons so read more.

Reduces exercise induced asthma: In a recent study at Indiana University found that fish-oil supplements helped control exercise-triggered asthma symptoms.
Keeps the heart healthy: One of the well known benefits of omega-3s is for heart health. The fat helps to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, which are both associated with heart disease when the levels are too high. Omega-3s also help lower blood pressure. Plus, these fats fight inflammation, which contributes to heart disease as well.

Fit's Tip: It is difficult to eat the recommended 1,100mg daily. The easiest way to ensure that you are eating enough omega-3s is to take a fish-oil supplement.

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Healthy Eating Tip: Text Your Fish

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:00:00 -0700

If you're worried about the mercury in fish that you're about to eat then you may want to try Fish Phone, a cool new tool for your phone. All you have to do is text the message FISH and the name of the fish in question to 30644. Withing seconds, you'll get a return text with the Blue Ocean Institutes's assessment and better alternatives to fish with significant environmental concerns. It's pretty cool - I tried it out and got a pretty detailed text back immediately. I'll definitely be using this when I am picking fish in the future.

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Do You Worry About Mercury in the Fish You Eat?

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:45:00 -0800

Fish is one of those lean, healthy proteins that many of us are trying to eat. Many fish are great sources for the omega-3 fatty acids sorely lacking in the American diet. However, many fish contain high levels of mercury. Even the once-thought-safe fish of choice tuna has been found to contain dangerous level, be it canned or in its raw sushi form.

What I want to know is . . .

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UPDATE: Pregnant Women and Fish

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:45:00 -0700

Last week there was an announcement from a health advocacy coalition (funded by the fish industry) that urged expectant and nursing mothers to eat more fish (12 oz. or more) for the safety of their babies. They said that the Omega-3s in fish are far more important to consume and that you shouldn't really worry about mercury levels.

The FDA and EPA however, are sticking to their stance. They feel these women should eat no more than 12 oz. of fish a week, and should be careful about mercury. Some fish contain high levels of this toxin, which could harm the nervous systems of developing fetuses and infants.

Fit's Tips: As a reminder, fish is a great source of Omega-3s, but it's not the only way to get your fill. If you do eat fish, stick to no more than two meals of it a week. Choose seafood with low levels of mercury such as salmon, tuna, sardines, oysters, and mackerel. If you're not into fish, flaxseed oil, flaxseeds, walnuts, soy products, canola oil, and enhanced foods such as Breyer's yogurt.

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A Week in Review: FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 04:00:00 -0700

In case you missed it, here's what we've been talking about...

Anthony Bourdain and Rachael Ray are in a spat over donuts. Whose side are you on?

Be sure to check this great jumping through with blocks yoga video that should help strengthen your core and improve your technique.

John Mayer makes his body a wonderland by running stairs, now you can too.

Mayer is not the only one getting fit, Sarah Jessica Parker spills her get slim secrets.

What's the connection between women's hips and breast cancer?

While we're on the topic of breast cancer, check out my inspiring and moving interview with a gal who battled breast cancer with cupcakes (of all things).

Celebs love Starbucks, but who's making healthy choices and who's not?

Love miso? Test your smarts with this quiz about miso.

Need a new diet tip? Eat at least one fruit and one veggie with every meal.

I'm curious, how often do you eat fish?

Speaking of dieting, here are 100 calorie snack ideas.

Back to basics everyone - learn how to properly blow your nose.

Here is a great elliptical interval exercise program - try it out!

Speak your mind about why you don't like exercising. Now check out ideas to turn that hate into love when it comes to exercising.

Speaking of exercise, check out the most active (and inactive) states in America.